Disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners: predictors and temporal patterns.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Failure to disclose human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to sexual partners interferes with risk reduction. GOAL OF THIS STUDY: The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with disclosure and failure to disclose HIV infection to sexual partners and to describe condom use with nondisclosure. STUDY DESIGN: A longitudinal survey study of HIV seropositive persons recruited at a public STD clinic. RESULTS: Approximately 76% of the study population (n = 147) reported disclosing their HIV status to their last sex partner at baseline. Predictors of disclosure included consistent condom use and being in a monogamous relationship. Twenty-two percent of those who disclosed at baseline reported nondisclosure during follow-up. Approximately 23% reported not using a condom with a person to whom their status was not disclosed. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that ongoing partner notification may be necessary to increase disclosure of HIV status to sex partners over time.