HIV Disclosure: HIV-positive status disclosure to sexual partners among individuals receiving HIV care in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: Disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners can help HIV prevention efforts and enable HIV positive people to receive social support, as well as increasing access and adherence to treatment. This study was conducted to determine the rate, processes, outcomes, and correlates of HIV status disclosure to sexual partners among HIV positive individuals. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September and November 2015 at two HIV outpatient clinics in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data were collected using an interviewer- administered semi-structured questionnaire. Logistic analysis was used to determine the independent correlates of serostatus disclosure. RESULTS: Of 742 participants, (371 men and 371 women), 727 (98%) were on antiretroviral therapy and 676 (91.1%) had at least one sexual partner since their HIV diagnosis, of whom 558 (82.5%) had disclosed their HIV status to their most recent sexual partner. Of those who reported having disclosed their status to their most recent sexual partner, 82 (14.7%) had at least one unprotected sexual encounter with the partner, after HIV diagnosis but prior to disclosure. The most commonly reported initial outcome of disclosure was gaining emotional and/or financial support. Some (11.3%) also reported that their disclosure immediately initiated their partner for HIV testing. Negative outcomes to disclosure, such as stigma and discrimination, were more common among females (26.2%) compared to males (12.7%). In the multiple regression analysis, disclosure was associated with greater condom use, greater social support, knowing the partner's HIV status, having a good relationship with the partner, and cohabiting with the partner. CONCLUSION: HIV disclosure was common amongst participants, although sometimes delayed, with possible consequences for onward transmission. Fear of negative outcomes, such as verbal abuse and physical violence, were major barriers to disclosure. Efforts to support disclosure have the potential to contribute to HIV control and prevention by encouraging safer sexual practice, initiating partners for HIV testing, and enhancing support for people living with HIV.

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome among HIV/AIDS patients during highly active antiretroviral therapy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Suppression of viral replication is followed by increases in CD4+ lymphocytes, and this has been shown to result in decreased susceptibility to opportunists after initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). However, clinical aggravations after the initiation of HAART have been thought to be due to the restored ability to mount an inflammatory response, or the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). The degree of IRIS observed in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients following initiation of HAART is variable. This prospective study was aimed at determining the proportion of IRIS and the pattern of opportunistic infections among 186 HIV/AIDS patients receiving HAART between December 2006 and July 2007 at Zewditu Memorial Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The proportion of IRIS was 17.2% (32/186). The mean number of days of IRIS occurrence for each disease ranged from 26 to 122 days with a mean of 80. Opportunistic diseases associated with IRIS were tuberculosis (68.8%, 22/32), herpes zoster rash (12.5%, 4/32), cryptococcosis (9.4%, 3/32), toxoplasmosis (6.3%, 2/32) and bacterial pneumonia (3.1%, 1/32). Compared to baseline readings there were significant increases in CD4 count, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels while hemoglobin values decreased during the development of IRIS. In summary, the proportion of IRIS and the pattern of opportunistic infections in HAART-treated patients in Ethiopia mirrored those reported in other countries. Further prospective surveys on epidemiological, immunological, microbial and clinical studies are imperative to assess the proportion and pattern of IRIS and effect of HAART in Ethiopia.