IMPACT OF HIV ON RELATIONSHIPS
Indicate the significant people in their lives and the nature of the relationship (family, friends, children, partners, social worker, HIV
counsellor, co-workers). Discuss how your HIV status impact on these relationships.
DISCLOSURE STRATEGIES
Some of the members may have already disclosed, and it is a good idea to hear from them:
*
Why did you decide to disclose?
*
How did you do it and what were the consequences?
BACKGROUND FOR THE FACILITATOR
Many people have decided not to disclose, because they fear that they might lose their partners. To save others from becoming
infected, it is recommended that an HIV positive person tell his or her partner about his or her status, although it may be difficult.
Disclosure can also help prevent re-infection. Disclosure to other family members may be difficult.
A person may feel scared of rejection and isolation from family members. Often women do not disclose, because they do not want
or hurt or disappoint their parents. Disclosure to children is also difficult, because it has serious consequences for the child. It depends
on the child's age and level of understanding. Disclosure can be accompanied by emotional stress and occurs as a way of either
threatening or warning to the child. Facilitators therefore need to help the patients with the pros and cons of this process. It must
be what they want to do with consideration to all the implications. People often disclose to their children when they become ill and
need care. This may be too late to prepare the child.
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Discuss with the group what their thoughts and feelings are towards disclosure.
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Find out what the group feels are the obstacles they experience in disclosing their HIV status?
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Share strategies used by those who have disclosed HIV status successfully.
o
It has been experienced that the individuals who disclose easily, help other people to accept them with their HIV
status.
- Find out if the members of the group agree with this.
- What do they think are the advantages of disclosure?
o
Many people living with HIV/Aids have done great services to their families and communities through disclosing their
status. They could teach their communities about Aids prevention, care and support. The Aids virus cannot be seen,
but people living with Aids are the ones who make us see the virus. They give Aids a human face, which helps everyone
to understand the problem much more.
- How they deal with HIV therefore impact on how the community sees HIV?
- How does the group feel about this?
- Is it their responsibility to take charge in fighting the stigma placed on HIV?
Facilitate the discussion, focus on the positive aspects and support the person where negative consequences are discussed. Help them
to deal with it and try to get a way they can deal with the relationships.
ROLE PLAY
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Ask the group the following questions:
i) To whom would you like to disclose your HIV status?
ii) There may be more than one. What will the implications be of disclosure to each person?
iii) How will you benefit by telling this person?
iv) What will the negative consequences be?
v) What do you need to do to find out how this person might react?
vi) How can I tell the person to lessen the negative reaction?
Children
vii) How am I going to handle the person's reaction of shock, disbelief, sadness, anger, withdrawal and support?
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Role play in the group how they would disclose to a person who supports them.
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The KGOLO-MMOGO PROJECT