Disclosure Likelihood in People with HIV
Research type
Research Study
Full title
What drives and prevents disclosure of serostatus in people with HIV, and how is work on the front line of HIV care experienced by health staff? A mixed-methods study.
IRAS ID
191069
Contact name
Katherine A. Finlay
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Buckingham
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 18 days
Research summary
Milton Keynes has recently been defined as an area of high HIV prevalence by the Health Protection Agency. Around 30% of this population choose not to disclose their serostatus to healthcare professionals outside of HIV care services, despite the benefits of doing so. However, few studies have explored disclosure of HIV in the UK, or within this area of high prevalence.
Disclosure of HIV status is related to increased emotional and social support, as well as improved access to HIV prevention and treatment services (e.g. Zea, Reisen, Poppen, Bianchi, & Echeverry, 2005). Disclosure of serostatus can also prevent the spread of HIV by improving partner knowledge and protection via informed decisions regarding sexual practices (Crepaz & Marks, 2003).
Design
The study will use a mixed-methods design, exploring the motivations of those with HIV who have, or have not disclosed their status to primary care services, alongside measures of quality of life and coping strategies. Staff working in HIV clinics will also be interviewed with regard to their experiences, and ideas regarding what can be done to increase disclosure of serostatus.
The study is expected to last two years.Method
Participants will be outpatients recruited from Milton Keynes HIV clinics. Each participant will be interviewed in their own home or in a private room at a HIV clinic, using a semi-structured format with non-directive questions that allow the participant to take the lead and tell their own story. Interviews will be audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis in order to generate themes that are present in each account. These themes will then be further analysed and placed into superordinate themes.Outcome
Superordinate themes will be identified and described, supported by quantitative measures, presenting the most important factors that motivate and prevent disclosure, and therefore highlighting factors to target and facilitate disclosure to primary care services.REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/1480
Date of REC Opinion
29 Nov 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion