RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS AND DISCLOSURE OF HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS STATUS AMONG CLIENTS IN CHESUMEI SUB COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the relationship between psychosocial factors and the disclosure of HIV status among clients in Chesumei Sub-County, Kenya. This is in the light of concerns that failure to disclose HIV status might frustrate treatment efforts and encourage spread of HIV.  This study was guided by the following research questions: What relationship exists between lack of confidentiality and disclosure of HIV status among clients? What effect does fear of discrimination have on the disclosure of HIV status among clients? What relationship exists between self – protection consideration on disclosure of HIV status among clients? To what extent does lack of spousal support affect disclosure of HIV status among clients? What relationship exists between selected demographic features and disclosure of HIV status among clients. The study used an embedded design in the mixed-method approach whereby correlational studies were used in quantitative and phenomenological study for qualitative.  The target population was 108 clients and 12 counselors. Simple random sampling was used to select clients and census was used for counselors. The study utilized questionnaires and an in-depth interview guide as instruments for data collection. To test validity, the research was given to experts to check for credibility of the research instruments. The Cronbanch’s acceptable value of 0.7 was used as a cut-off of reliability. The analysis of quantitative data involved both the use of descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data was transcribed coded and organized into themes. The study findings indicated that there was a significant relationship between lack of confidentiality and disclosure of HIV status among clients  (β=0.168, p≤0.05); there was a significant relationship between fear of discrimination and disclosure of HIV status among clients (β=0.264, p≤0.05); there was a significant relationship between protection and disclosure of HIV status among clients (β=0.229, p≤0.05) and that there was a significant relationship between lack of spousal support and disclosure of HIV status among clients (β=0.209, p≤0.05).  The study concluded that disclosing one’s HIV status is still widely perceived as socially dangerous. Similarly, another great risk people living with HIV face is the accidental disclosure of their status which could result in denial of employment, violence, and collateral consequences. The study recommended that people living with HIV should be supported through ongoing counseling to disclose their HIV status and after disclosure in order to improve adherence to the clinic visits.