Disclosure of HIV Positive Test Results and Clients’ awareness of the Advantages of Sharing the Results. A Case of three selected Care and Treatment Clinics (CTC) in Zanzibar

Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) status disclosure is an important approach pursued in the Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) services, hospitals, and Care and Treatment Clinics (CTCs) to prevent the spread of HIV. This study aimed to examine drivers for HIV-positive results disclosure and clients' awareness on the benefits of disclosing the HIV positive test results. The study was conducted in Zanzibar, focusing on clients attending for care and treatment at Mwembeladu, Fuoni, and Makunduchi Care and Treatment Clinics (CTCs) and data were collected from 210 clients attending CTCs. Collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics and crosstabulation. The results showed that the majority (92.6%) of People Living with HIV (PLWHIV) prefer to disclose their HIV status to partners or people with a formal relationship, the majority (100%) who initially tested HIV in the hospital disclosed the results and 87.7% who tested at TVC also disclosed, and the disclosure rate had no significant variation by gender. This study observed a high HIV disclosure rate (88%) among PLWHIV in Fuomi ward, Zanzibar, driven by awareness of benefits like partner discussions and care access. However, 46.7% of respondents remain unaware of these benefits, indicating a need for enhanced education and support. The study recommends that stakeholders like ministries and departments responsible for public health, particularly on HIV related issues should launch community-based campaigns (e.g., radio programmes, peer-led workshops) to raise awareness of disclosure benefits. Healthcare providers should receive regular training on counselling techniques to support PLWHIV in overcoming stigma and fear of discrimination.