Disclosing Sexual Partner's HIV/AIDS Status before Sexual Activity: A Cross-sectional Study on Factors Affecting Confidence

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be transmitted through the exchange of body fluids with persons who are HIV positive. For the sake of prevention and care, disclosing the partner’s HIV status is crucial. Most sexual partners face difficulties in inquiring about the HIV status of their sexual partners. Partner’s negative reaction, stigma, and fear of judgment deter the sexual partners discussions on HIV status. The study assessed factors affecting confidence in enquiring about the HIV/AIDS status before sexual activity. Method: A cross-sectional study design was used to collect information from respondents. In particular, a structured interviews schedule was used to collect information that assessed confidence and readiness to enquire HIV status before sexual activities. Respondents were selected using multi-stage sampling technique. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify the associations between variables. Result: The percentage of respondents with good and average combined knowledge of HIV prevention method was 51.6% and 32.9% respectively. Respondent confidence in enquiring about the HIV/AIDS status of sexual partner was 83.8%. Confidence in enquiring about the HIV/AIDS status of sex partners was 2.9 times higher among respondents with secondary and higher education than those without education (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.43 – 5.90). Those with good combined knowledge of HIV prevention methods were 2.84 times higher to be confident in enquiring about the HIV/AIDS status than those with poor combined knowledge of HIV prevention method. Discussion: Respondents with good combined knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention methods and those who were able to discuss issues concerning HIV/AIDS before sexual activity were significantly confident in inquiring about the HIV/AIDS status. Initiatives that encourage open, stigma-free conversation about HIV status among sexual partners to support prevention efforts need to be promoted.