There are no published studies conducted in Namibia describing the experiences of HIV positive women on HIV disclosure. Exploring and understanding factors affecting disclosure among these women is crucial for health care workers and policy makers to devise ways to increase disclosure rate among women.
The overall aim of the study was to establish factors contributing to HIV non-disclosure to sexual partners among women enrolled on the PMTCT program at Katutura ANC clinic in order to suggest strategies to increase HIV disclosure rate among women in the communities.
The objectives of the study were to identify current level of HIV disclosure among pregnant women, to establish factors contributing to nondisclosure to sexual partners among pregnant women, to determine the proportion of women those have been abused by their sexual partners as a reaction of HIV disclosure and to recommend strategies aimed at increasing HIV disclosure rate among women living with HIV in the communities.
The objectives were met by using a correlational research design with a quantitative approach conducted to collect data from 50 HIV positive pregnant women attending follow-up antenatal care at Katutura Antenatal Care Clinic, Windhoek, Namibia in November 2012.
A self administered questionnaire which primarily consisted of closed ended questions and a limited number of open-ended questions was used to answer the research question. Ethical approval was sought and obtained from the Ethics Committee of Stellenbosch University. Permission was requested and granted from the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) to conduct the study. Study participants who agreed to take part in the study were also given a consent form to sign.
Quantitative data was analysed with assistance from a statistician. Analysed data were presented by using frequency tables, pie charts and bar graphs. Cross tabulations were also used to analyse the relationship between HIV disclosure and other variables. Qualitative data collected by the use of open ended questions were analysed by using a thematic approach and trends were assessed.
Recommendations were to encourage couples to test together in order to prevent negative outcomes as a result of HIV disclosure to partners. HIV positive women that encounter difficulties in disclosing to partners were encouraged to discuss issues on disclosure to family or community members they trust to assist share their HIV serostatus to their sexual partners. Empowerment of women through education and employment opportunities could also lessen women’s dependence on men for financial support.