Predictors and Perceptions of HIV Status Disclosure among Pregnant Women from Rural Mysore, India

Socio-demographic, HIV knowledge factors and attitudes have been used in studies to explore the effect they may have on disclosure of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnosis. This study aims to investigate the relationship between HIV knowledge and perception, and disclosure of HIV status to family. Saving Children and Improving Lives (SCIL) is a prospective cohort study conducted from 2011 to 2014, that focused on offering integrated antenatal care and HIV testing using mobile medical clinics in rural India. Questions were asked to women regarding their knowledge of HIV transmission and personal concerns about the illness. Data from 628 pregnant women were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Twelve questions were used to create an HIV knowledge and HIV perception scale. Knowledge scores were based on the number of correct answers (0-4=Poor; 5-6= Moderate; 7 and higher= Good). Answers to questions relating to HIV perception were scored for “Not at all worried”, as good level of perception. “A little bit worried” or “Quite a bit worried” as Moderate and “Extremely worried” as poor. The mean age of the sample was 21 years (Range: 16-35 years). While 7% had no formal education, 35% had 1-8 years, and 59% had nine years or more of schooling. 44% of the women had good knowledge of HIV transmission, 12% of these women had moderate knowledge, and 45% had poor knowledge. Women who had more years of education, were more likely to disclose than women with no education. Good knowledge was not associated with likelihood of disclosure (p = 0.675). 95% answered had good level of perception, 4.8% scored Moderate, and 5% scored poor level. Level of perception was highly significant with likelihood of disclosure (p = .000). Results showed a significant association between women\u27s level of knowledge to their level of perception and disclosure