Disclosure of information by patients about HIV/AIDS infection in Northeastern Thailand

Abstract

Few studies have focused on the processes in which patients reveal their HIV infection to others. This 
study sought to understand these processes. Thus, the research questions were: (a) What were their 
thoughts about the moment when patients learned that they were infected? (b) To whom and when did 
patients disclose that they were infected? (c) How did they disclose the information? (d) How much or 
what information did they disclose, and what were the reactions of those who were informed? (e) Why 
did they reveal the information? The descriptive study was done using a convenience sample of 45 
patients with HIV/AIDS at a hospital clinic in northeastern Thailand. The results showed that 67% told a 
family member, usually their mother, within a day of being told about their HIV diagnosis from a medical 
staff. Most patients (65%) communicated the diagnosis face to face; only 4% used the telephone. Most 
patients disclosed the cause and source of infection; some also disclosed the location and time of 
infection and the current treatment. About half chose to tell family because family would likely take care 
of them when their symptoms became worse. About one fourth said they informed family because 
family would more readily accept their condition. Study findings may be useful to those who assist 
AIDS patients, including the development of effective methods or a system or network of persons who 
may help patients seek medical and other assistance sooner.