This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Muula, A. S Articles by Mfutso-Bengo, J. M Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Muula, A. S Articles by Mfutso-Bengo, J. M Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

When is Public Disclosure of HIV Seropositivity Acceptable?

University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi, amuula{at}medcol.mw

Joseph M Mfutso-Bengo

University of Malawi College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi

HIV/AIDS is a major public health problem in Africa. Stigmatization, discrimination and lack of appropriate health care are among the commonest challenges that HIV infected persons and their families face. It has been suggested that among the tools available in the fight against stigmatization and discrimination is public disclosure of a person’s HIV seropositive status. While public disclosure of HIV status has a place in the fight against HIV and AIDS, especially by resulting in behavioural change among people who know of an HIV infected person, we argue that such disclosure also has potential attendant harms. The posthumous disclosure of HIV status is particularly problematic. Public disclosure should be accompanied by appropriate individual counselling and preparation of the community to deal with the situation, and should have regard for cultural sensitivity after consideration of the risks and benefits to individuals, families and the community. Health practitioners should keep in mind that their main duty is to the best interest of the patient, the family and the community, in that order.

Key Words: antiretroviral therapy • discrimination • HIV/AIDS • Malawi • public disclosure • stigma

Nursing Ethics, Vol. 12, No. 3, 288-295 (2005)
DOI: 10.1191/0969733005ne790oa


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?