Disclosure of HIV status among family members remains one of the major hindrances in the fight against the spread of HIV. Disclosing HIV status to one’s family members/partners allows the partner to preventive behaviors, and the one who discloses can then better access the necessary support for coping with their HIV status and illness. A disclosure motivates partners to seek testing or reduce risk behavior and ultimately decrease the transmission of HIV to children and loved ones.
HIV disclosure has many benefits for parents and children, such as stress relief, improved psychological health, trust, family bonding, HIV diagnosis and linkage to care, promotes HIV testing, diagnosis, and disclosure of other family members’ HIV statuses.
Mrs. A (Name changed) says when I knew that I have been tested HIV-positive way back in 2004, I felt like my heart was beating, beating very fast because I thought that I was going to die. …. I just felt sad, angry, confused, and hopeless. And yes; I was not courageous enough to tell my husband before our marriage. But I thought he was the best person because I am close to him. I thought it was good for him to know about my HIV status before our marriage and as hoped; I was relieved to have told him and now I get lots of support, inspiration and encouragement from him.
Having disclosed her status to her husband and shared each other about life and the challenges ahead, she got married in 2006 and has now two kids. Even after 10 years of married life, they are still a discordant couple and are proud parents of two kids (both kids have also been tested negative).
A proud mother of two seems to be overjoyed and comfortable today after being found herself that there is a life beyond and started to learn how to live with the support of her husband and family since the marriage. Feeling so blessed and grateful to be healthy and supportive from family and dear ones, today she encourages and challenges everyone living with HIV that there is life beyond as she continues to be a role model with reinforcing messages on positive living & positive prevention and disclosures.
She and her family feels so encouraged by the CSC staffs, KNP+ members and proud to be associated with the Network for Kohima District People Living with HIV/AIDS (KNP+), a District Level Network that currently runs Care and Support Centre (Vihaan Programme) supported by a grant from the GFATM and is implemented by Alliance India and Network of Naga people Living with HIV/AIDS (NNP+) as principle recipient and Sub recipient respectively.
Lithsa
NNP+ Kohima
