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Communication about safer sex and serostatus disclosure in HIV‐positive adolescents with haemophilia
Author(s) -
NUSS RACHELLE,
Smith Peter S.,
Cotton David,
Kisker Thomas
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
haemophilia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.213
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 1365-2516
pISSN - 1351-8216
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2516.1995.tb00053.x
Subject(s) - serostatus , medicine , haemophilia , safer , feeling , interpersonal communication , safer sex , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , family medicine , social psychology , psychology , pediatrics , condom , computer security , syphilis , viral load , computer science
Summary Objectives . To assess the attitudes, beliefs and feelings of adolscents and young men with severe haemophilia with respect to discussing safer sex and disclosing their human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositivity to potential sex partners. Methods . Fifty‐nine males with haemophilia from throughout the US answered open‐ended questions. Results . Talking about avoidance of transmitting AIDS and disclosing one's seropositivity was beneficial, moral and wise. Nevertheless, this was exceedingly, difficult, unpleasant, and fraught with fear of rejection and alienation. Communication was approved by family, friends, and health‐care providers. Facilitators of communication were: knowledge and an accepting attitude about persons with HIV, a supportive person to assist with discussion, and environmental cues. Conclusion . This first report of HIV‐infected adolescents and young adults reveals that although they endorse discussing safer sex and disclosing their HIV seropositivity, they are painfully aware of the social and interpersonal risks of such extremely difficult communications.