HIV status disclosure to male sexual partners and predictors among young women living with HIV in rural Uganda: a cross-sectional study

Background: In 2020 in sub-Saharan Africa, 25% of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections occurred among young women (15-24 years). In Uganda, the HIV prevalence is three times higher among young women at 2.9% compared to 0.8% among their male counterparts. HIV status disclosure is a gateway to preventive services. Objectives: We set out to estimate the prevalence of HIV status disclosure to current male partners, and the predictors among the adolescent girls and young women living with HIV (AGYWLHIV) in a semi-rural northern Uganda. Design: In a cross-sectional study design, a consecutive sample of the AGYWLHIV was recruited from six antiretroviral therapy clinics between November 2022 and April 2023. Methods: Participants were administered an interviewer-guided questionnaire. They were asked whether they have ever disclosed their HIV status to their current male partners. They were also asked about their socio-demographics, sexual and reproductive health profiles, knowledge and perceptions of dual protection, and safer conception methods for AGYWLHIV. Percentages to estimate prevalence, Chi-square tests to assess associations, simple and multivariate modified Poisson regression to identify predictors at p < 0.05 and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were considered. Results: Overall, 423 participants with a median age of 22 (IQR 4) years participated in the study. The prevalence of HIV status disclosure to the current male partners was found at 73.3% (95% CI 69.0-77.5). The predictors for HIV status disclosure were found to include the women's knowledge of their HIV status (APR 1.1 (95% CI 1.0-1.2), p 0.032), knowledge of their male partner's HIV status (APR 0.8 (95% CI 0.7-0.9), p 0.003), and the male partners' disclosure of their HIV status to the women (APR 0.7 (95% CI 0.5-0.9), p <0.016). Conclusion: About three-fourths of the AGYWLHIV in semi-rural northern Uganda disclosed their HIV status to their male partners. The predictors of disclosure included the women's knowledge of their HIV status, knowledge of their male partner's HIV status, and the male partner's reciprocal disclosure of their HIV status. To enhance disclosure rates, post-test, and disclosure counseling for both individuals and couples is recommended as part of the routine HIV testing, treatment, and care programs.