Important Roles of Health Professionals in Maternal HIV Disclosure Among HIV-Infected Women in China

Abstract

Maternal HIV disclosure to children is beneficial for both mothers and children. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate the prevalence of maternal HIV disclosure to at least one living child aged > 5 years among 292 HIV-infected mothers in Guangxi Province, China. Among all participants, 45.2% had self-disclosed their HIV positive sero-status to at least one living child aged > 5 years. After adjusting for the significant background variables, participants self-reported health professionals in governmental antenatal care clinics had discussed with them about maternal HIV disclosure (adjusted odds ratios, aOR: 5.85), had received counseling services (aOR: 7.84) or support (aOR: 8.75) from these health professionals when making decision on maternal HIV, and perceived higher empathy of these health professionals (aOR: 1.09) were more likely to have reported maternal HIV disclosure. Instrumental and affective interactions between health professionals and HIV-infected mothers were important facilitators of maternal HIV disclosure.