Patterns and predictors of disclosure of HIV positive status among youth living with HIV in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Background Information on disclosure of HIV status among youth is sparse in spite of the fact that they bear a significant burden of the HIV epidemic. Our objective was to determine the predictors of HIV disclosure among youth aged 18-35 years in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among youth with HIV attending two HIV support groups and one ARV clinic in Ibadan, Nigeria. Information was obtained with the aid of an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and analytic statistics were conducted. Results There were 170 clients with a mean age of 29.6 ± 3.9 years; 140 (82.4%) were female and 139 (81.8%) had disclosed their status. Common people first informed included respondents' mother 49 (35.3%), spouse 39 (28.1%) or father, 38 (27.3%). Disclosure to an unmarried sexual partner was low as only six (12.0%) of the 50 single youth who had a current sexual partner had disclosed their status to him/her. Youth who were aware that their spouse/partner was HIV positive (OR = 9.87; CI = 1.09-88.83) or negative (OR = 9.98; CI = 1.18-84.70) were more likely to have disclosed their status than those unaware of their spouse/partners' status. Disclosure was also higher among members of an HIV support group (OR = 3.32; CI = 1.03-10.72). Conclusions Many respondents had disclosed their status although disclosure to an unmarried sexual partner was low. Interventions to improve HIV disclosure especially among unmarried sexually active youth could improve disclosure and overall management of HIV in our study area.