Experiences of married men with HIV during the early phase of diagnosis within the context of mandatory disclosure in Singapore: An interpretative phenomenological analysis study

ABSTRACT

This qualitative study explored heterosexual married men’s experiences surrounding the mandatory disclosure of their HIV-positive status to their spouse and their adjustment in moving on with their life. Four men and three health care professionals were recruited from a hospital and interviewed. Their experiences were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Five themes were identified: acceptance as a process, the way people look at us, wife needs to know, disclosure transforms family, and living with HIV. These results are useful to help health care professionals plan the emotional and social support needed for this group of individuals to work toward acceptance of their diagnosis while having to inform their spouse within the limited time frame imposed by mandatory disclosure.

KEYWORDS:

• experiences
• heterosexual men
• HIV
• interpretative phenomenological analysis
• mandatory disclosure
• Singapore