Perceptions about using a patient portal to self-disclose HIV-related information to sexual partners: a qualitative study among adolescents and emerging adults living with HIV

Patient portals may enhance HIV viral load (VL) disclosure experiences between adolescents and emerging adults living with HIV (AHIV) and their partners. This qualitative inquiry investigated AHIV perspectives on using a patient portal to self-disclose HIV-related information to partners. 16 AHIV aged 13-25 years were recruited at a health center in the United States to participate in audio-recorded virtual in-depth interviews (IDIs). Participants discussed perspectives on HIV self-disclosure, facilitating self-disclosure processes using the patient portal, and what they wanted others to know about AHIV. Content analysis was conducted using combined deductive and inductive coding. Discussion topics were analyzed in the context of three emergent perspectives: (a) Sexually Naïve, (b) Approach-oriented, and (c) Disclosure Averse/Indifferent. Patient portals were perceived to offer unique advantages by providing a "receipt" for HIV VL and possessed key opportunities to educate partners about living with HIV, Undetectable=Untransmittable, and counter pervasive HIV myths. For some, the perceived negative consequences of HIV disclosure outweigh the potential benefits of leveraging the portal. AHIV support using portals to reverse the stigma anticipated with HIV self-disclosure. Research on practical and effective strategies for safely engaging in patient portal facilitated disclosures is warranted.