Experience and Perceptions of Self-disclosure Among People Living With HIV (PLHIV): A Qualitative Study

Introduction: : Self-disclosure is a complement to information about a person’s health condition and is related to preventing HIV transmission. However, it is not uncommon for people living with HIV/AIDS to reveal their status because they are worried about stigma from society. This research aims to explore experience and perceptions of self-disclosure including social influence, social benefits, social risks, and reciprocity felt among PLHIV. Materials and methods: This research was a qualitative study with 5 main informants for PLHIV who revealed their status and 6 triangulated informants (partners, mothers, and health workers). The data analysis technique used Rapid and Rigorous Qualitative Data Analysis (RADaR). Results: There are efforts to reveal positive HIV status, including self-awareness of having carried out risky behavior, but there are obstacles to self-disclosure namely the risk of being stigmatized by society. The benefit of self-disclosure is getting support. The reciprocity of self-disclosure is the creation of an increasingly intimate relationship with family. Conclusion: Self-disclosure for PLHIV is related to considering the positive/ negative influences that received by PLHIV, besides also considering the benefits for the lives of PLHIV, especially in undergoing medical therapy, risks in personal relationships, and responses from the interlocutor. Recomendation: There is a need for community-based interventions such as the involvement and empowerment of support groups, public figure and the use of social media to anticipated stigma and discrimination, and increase knowledge about HIV in the community.