[Does post-test counseling support PLHIV in disclosing their HIV status? Practices and propositions by counselors in Burkina Faso].

Disclosure of HIV test results is discussed during post-test counseling, following norms. However, while barriers to disclosing a positive HIV result have been documented, the literature is sparse on the way guidelines are applied in the field. The aim of this article is to describe and analyze counseling practices regarding HIV disclosure to 'significant others' (partner, family members, friends) reported by clients and providers of HIV voluntary counseling and testing in Burkina Faso. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in urban and rural areas in 2008 . A questionnaire incorporating semi-open questions was used. A total of 542 people who completed the test in 2007 and 111 service providers of HIV counseling and testing were interviewed. The data were analyzed using SPSS 12. Only 29% of those tested stated that disclosure to partner or family members was discussed with them during post-test counseling. This result is explained by providers' uncertainties and concerns regarding how to disclose, risks related to disclosure and adverse consequences of disclosure. Strategies are developed by counseling providers to support people who have been diagnosed HIV positive in disclosing to significant others, but they recognize that these actions are insufficient. Providers' suggestions are to keep fighting against the stigmatization of PLHIV, to improve counseling providers' competence in this area, and to adopt legal texts to make mandatory disclosure of the HIV result to partners. The study identified several ways to improve counseling practices regarding clients' disclosure of their HIV status in Burkina Faso. These findings could have significance for Africa as a whole.