Facilitators and Barriers to HIV Status Disclosure Among HIV-Positive MSM Age 50 and Older

ABSTRACT

Most HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) ages 50 and older feel a responsibility to protect their sex partners from HIV transmission risk. For some, this is enacted through HIV disclosure, while for others it is realized through reduced risk behaviors. To examine this, we analyzed interviews of 23 HIV-positive MSM ages 50 and older. We identified several contextual, relational, and psychosocial factors that served as either barriers or facilitators to HIV disclosure. Our findings suggest HIV status disclosure is multifaceted and continues to impact sexual communication in the lives of MSM as they enter middle age.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV disclosure
• HIV prevention
• MSM
• aging
• facilitators
• barriers