CORRELATION BETWEEN DISCLOSURE STATUS AND STRESS IN MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN WITH HIV

Abstract

CORRELATION BETWEEN DISCLOSURE STATUS AND STRESS IN MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN WITH HIV Edianto1 , Agung Waluyo2 *, Sri Yona2 , Ina Martiana3 1. H. Adam Malik Central General Hospital, Medan 20136, Indonesia 2. Faculty of Nursing Universitas Indonesia, Depok 16424, Indonesia 3. STIKES DR. Soebandi, Jember 68111, Indonesia *E-mail: agungwss@ui.ac.id Abstract Men who have sex with men living with HIV (MSM-LWH) experience psychological and social issues, including depression, anxiety, fear of infecting others, frustration, and social isolation. They may also experience problems in their relationships due to a fear of social stigma, such as marital issues, family conflicts, a lack of family support, economic difficulties, and social rejection by the family. This research aimed to assess the relationship between HIV status disclosure and stress in MSM-LWH in Medan, Indonesia. Here, a cross-sectional design and the convenience sampling technique were used. A total of 176 respondents who were MSM, HIV positive, and residents of Medan City were included in this work. Data were collected by means of HIV Status Disclosure questionnaires and a Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Overall, 70.9% respondents reported disclosing their status to others and approximately half revealed experiencing stress. Moreover, HIV status disclosure was significantly associated with stress (p= 0.025). This study reveals that HIV status disclosure may result in negative effects on MSMLWH, represent a barrier to medical treatment, and increase internal stress. Keywords: HIV, men who have sex with men, status disclosure, stress