Stigmatization, HIV Cognition & Personality as Correlates of HIV Disclosure

The issue of HIV self disclosure among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is a great concern in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. The study investigated the relationship among perceived stigmatization, HIV cognition, personality and HIV self disclosure among PLWHA. Influence of age and sex on HIV self disclosure was also examined. Correlation research design was adopted. A total of 72-item standardized self report questionnaire was administered to four hundred and twenty-one (421) purposively selected PLWHA in Ibadan metropolis. 335 (74.6%) were female and 115 (25.4%) were male. Male, young, low on perceived stigmatization and poor on HIV cognition PLWHA were more on HIV disclosure (n=42,X=10.9). An inverse relationship of perceived stigmatization(r=-.392) and openness to experience(r=-.549) with HIV self disclosure was observed. Extraversion (r=.712), neuroticism (r=.145) and agreeableness(r=.15) had positive relationship with disclosure. HIV cognition independently predicted HIV disclosure (_=.201, P.05). Old PLWHA were more on disclosure than young t (419) = -3.82, P.05). Policies and actions should be focused on these issue in HIV prevention, care and support.