Sero Status Disclosure to Sexual Partner and Associated Factors among Adult HIV Positive Patients in Bale Zone Hospitals, Oromia Region, Ethiopia: Institution Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Disclosure of HIV sero status is among varies HIV prevention strategy to prevent the spread of HIV. It is the base for accessing care and treatment programs, attains psycho-social support and reduces stigma, adheres to treatment and promotes safer health behavior particularly for couples. Objective: To assess HIV sero status disclosure to sexual partner and associated factors among HIV positive adult patient in Bale Zone hospitals. Method: A cross-sectional study design was conducted among 411 adult HIV positive clients who were selected by using systematic random sampling methods from Bale Zone Hospitals. Data were collected by using pre-tested questionnaire after verbal consent obtained from participants by trained nurse. Multiple logistic regression analysis was done by using SPSS version 20 and P-value of less than 0.05 was taken to declare statistical significance. Result: HIV sero status disclosure to sexual partners was 52.6%. Residence (AOR = 1.62; 95% CI, 1.0, 2.60), receiving pre-test counselling related disclosure (AOR = 6.25; 95% CI, 3.45, 11.33) and knowledge of partner’s HIV sero status (P-Value = 0.001) were significantly associated with HIV sero status disclosure. Fear of stigma and violence by sexual partner were the main reasons suggested for not disclosing HIV sero-status. Conclusion: The level of HIV sero-status disclosure to sexual partner was low. Disclosure of HIV sero status to sexual partner was significantly associated with clients’ place of residence, receiving pre-test counselling about disclosure and Knowledge of partners HIV sero status.