[Self-disclosure of a HIV-positive serostatus: factors favoring disclosure and consequences for persons living with HIV/AIDS in Burkina Faso]. / Partage de l'information sur le statut sérologique VIH positif : facteurs associés et conséquences pour les personnes vivant avec le VIH/sida au Burkina Faso.

UNLABELLED: Disclosure of HIV-serostatus remains a way to avoid sexual transmission of HIV because it allows partners to take the necessary protective measures, e.g. use of condoms. Disclosure is nevertheless difficult due to the discrimination associated with HIV. The objective of this study was to analyze factors leading to self-disclosure of HIV-positive status within a sample of persons of both sexes attending different healthcare services in Burkina Faso. METHODOLOGY: Cross-sectional study conducted by interviewing 740 patients in 26 healthcare services. Univariate (Chi(2) test) and multivariate (logistic regression) analyses were performed. The significance level was 5%. Qualitative data on factors associated with self-disclosure of HIV-positive status were analyzed. RESULTS: The majority of the patients (81.4%) informed at least one person who was very often a close relative (descendant, ascendant and sibling) or the partner. At multivariate analysis, HIV-serostatus was associated with using antiretroviral treatment, (OR=0.40, 95% CI: 0.3-0.7, P<0.001), known HIV-serostatus for at least one year (OR=0.6; 95% CI: 0.4-0.9), living in couple (2.3; 95% CI: 1.4-3.8). CONCLUSION: In a context limiting HIV testing due to the fear of social stigma, these results appear to be in favor of the Voluntary Counseling Testing model with a focus on the couple and/or families.

Attitudes and practices towards HAART among people living with HIV/AIDS in a resource-limited setting in northern Burkina Faso.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the perception of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), and attitudes and practices towards highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) among patients living in a resource-poor region of northern Burkina Faso, where HAART has only become available in recent years. STUDY DESIGN: A clinic-based cross-sectional survey of 306 patients taking HAART and 106 patients not yet on HAART. METHODS: Face-to-face interview with a structured questionnaire at the clinic or at participants' homes. RESULTS: Most patients were illiterate, but overall, they had adequate knowledge and positive attitudes towards HAART, and self-reported that their adherence was good. However, AIDS carried a psychological burden, as 27% of respondents were concerned that others might discover they were on HAART. The majority of respondents expressed concerns about transmitting HIV to others, but only 22% had disclosed their HIV status to their partners, and condom use was suboptimal. Approximately one-third of participants in the HAART group reported that they could no longer work in the same way as before they had AIDS. Multivariate logistic regression found that education and living with someone were positively associated with a favourable functioning status, and distance from clinic and lack of general support from family or friends were negatively associated with a favourable functioning status. CONCLUSIONS: HAART was well accepted in this resource-poor region. Community education and supportive approaches may be critical for an effective preventive programme.