Disclosure of HIV status did not precipitate relationship break-ups after an HIV diagnosis for sub-Saharan African migrants living in Paris in a study conducted by Dr Mireille Le Guen and colleagues published in the June issue of AIDS Care. Instead, relationship characteristics and gender differences had a greater influence on relationship survival after diagnosis.
In France, sub-Saharan migrants represent nearly one-quarter of people diagnosed with HIV. Prevention policies encourage partner disclosure in order to increase testing. However, research has pointed to gender differences for migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, with women possibly being more reluctant to disclose due to fears of rejection, violence and discrimination.
However, some studies indicate that women often find emotional and material support as opposed to rejection upon disclosure. In certain instances disclosure was not significantly linked to relationship break-up; instead the nature of the relationship may be more relevant. Living conditions, poverty and unemployment may also play a role. Most migrants to France experience varied hardships shortly after migration, the period in which migrants are most likely to acquire HIV and receive their diagnosis.
Researchers set out to study to what extent disclosure of HIV status, relationship characteristics and living conditions are linked to relationship break-up post diagnosis.