Injection drug users' disclosure of HIV seropositive status to network members

Disclosing that one is HIV seropositive may reduce the burden of disease by facilitating reduction in risk behaviors and mobilizing network support. Logistic regression and generalized estimating equations (GEE) analyses were used to examine disclosure of HIV positive serostatus to network members among 161 low-income, current, and former injection-drug users living with HIV/AIDS. About 14% of the respondents reported they had not disclosed their serostatus to any network members, whereas 35% reported that they had disclosed to all network members. Respondents who had known their HIV seropositive status longer, did not currently use illicit drugs, or had more education were more likely to have disclosed their HIV serostatus. Characteristics of network members associated with having been disclosed to included HIV seropositive status, not being a drug partner, residential propinquity, having known the respondent longer, and having discussed drug use with the respondent. The findings suggest that injection-drug users with HIV are more likely to disclose to network members with whom they have strong ties, and that drug-using partners are at high risk for HIV infection because they are less likely to self-disclose their serostatus.