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HIV Disclosure Among Pregnant Women Initiating ART in Cape Town, South Africa: Qualitative Perspectives During the Pregnancy and Postpartum Periods.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Watt, MH; Knippler, ET; Knettel, BA; Sikkema, KJ; Ciya, N; Myer, L; Joska, JA
Published in: AIDS and behavior
December 2018

For women enrolled in prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programs, non-disclosure of their HIV status can be a significant barrier to sustained HIV care engagement. To explore decision-making surrounding HIV disclosure among HIV-infected pregnant women, we conducted repeated in-depth interviews during pregnancy and postpartum with 20 women recruited from a PMTCT clinic in Cape Town, South Africa. Three domains were examined using thematic analysis: (1) disclosure experiences, (2) challenges associated with partner disclosure, and (3) implications of nondisclosure. All women had disclosed to someone by the time of the baby's birth, typically limiting their disclosure to trusted individuals. Only half of participants disclosed to the father of the child. Nondisclosure, particularly to partners, was a significant source of worry and stress. Women used pregnancy as an explanation for using medication and attending frequent clinic appointments, and recognized impending challenges in the postpartum period when this excuse would no longer apply. Results suggest that PMTCT programs have a key role to play in helping individuals to make decisions about HIV disclosure, and assisting patients to navigate the disclosure process, especially with partners.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

AIDS and behavior

DOI

EISSN

1573-3254

ISSN

1090-7165

Publication Date

December 2018

Volume

22

Issue

12

Start / End Page

3945 / 3956

Related Subject Headings

  • South Africa
  • Sexual Partners
  • Self Disclosure
  • Qualitative Research
  • Public Health
  • Pregnant Women
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
  • Pregnancy
  • Postpartum Period
  • Mothers
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
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Watt, M. H., Knippler, E. T., Knettel, B. A., Sikkema, K. J., Ciya, N., Myer, L., & Joska, J. A. (2018). HIV Disclosure Among Pregnant Women Initiating ART in Cape Town, South Africa: Qualitative Perspectives During the Pregnancy and Postpartum Periods. AIDS and Behavior, 22(12), 3945–3956. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-018-2272-5
Watt, Melissa H., Elizabeth T. Knippler, Brandon A. Knettel, Kathleen J. Sikkema, Nonceba Ciya, Landon Myer, and John A. Joska. “HIV Disclosure Among Pregnant Women Initiating ART in Cape Town, South Africa: Qualitative Perspectives During the Pregnancy and Postpartum Periods.AIDS and Behavior 22, no. 12 (December 2018): 3945–56. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-018-2272-5.
Watt MH, Knippler ET, Knettel BA, Sikkema KJ, Ciya N, Myer L, et al. HIV Disclosure Among Pregnant Women Initiating ART in Cape Town, South Africa: Qualitative Perspectives During the Pregnancy and Postpartum Periods. AIDS and behavior. 2018 Dec;22(12):3945–56.
Watt, Melissa H., et al. “HIV Disclosure Among Pregnant Women Initiating ART in Cape Town, South Africa: Qualitative Perspectives During the Pregnancy and Postpartum Periods.AIDS and Behavior, vol. 22, no. 12, Dec. 2018, pp. 3945–56. Epmc, doi:10.1007/s10461-018-2272-5.
Watt MH, Knippler ET, Knettel BA, Sikkema KJ, Ciya N, Myer L, Joska JA. HIV Disclosure Among Pregnant Women Initiating ART in Cape Town, South Africa: Qualitative Perspectives During the Pregnancy and Postpartum Periods. AIDS and behavior. 2018 Dec;22(12):3945–3956.
Journal cover image

Published In

AIDS and behavior

DOI

EISSN

1573-3254

ISSN

1090-7165

Publication Date

December 2018

Volume

22

Issue

12

Start / End Page

3945 / 3956

Related Subject Headings

  • South Africa
  • Sexual Partners
  • Self Disclosure
  • Qualitative Research
  • Public Health
  • Pregnant Women
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
  • Pregnancy
  • Postpartum Period
  • Mothers