Individual attitude and disclosure among People Living With HIV/AIDS in Msambweni County Referral Hospital, Kwale County, Kenya

The objective of this research was to examine individual determinants that impact the disclosure of HIV/AIDS among those living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) at the Msambweni County Referral Hospital in Kwale County, Kenya. A sample size of 253 patients and 12 nurses was utilized for the study, encompassing qualitative and quantitative evaluations. Based on empirical findings, a notable fraction of individuals seeking medical treatment acknowledged the distinct significance of counselling services in facilitating the process of making informed choices regarding the disclosure of personal information. Specifically, 37.9% of respondents expressed a strong inclination towards this notion, while an additional 45.1% indicated agreement with this perspective. The presence of stigma has been identified as a notable obstacle to the revelation of information, as indicated by 45.8% of respondents agreeing and 15.8% firmly believing that therapy services alone are insufficient in addressing societal stigma and prejudice. The thesis offers valuable insights into individual factors contributing to the manifestation of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) within a distinct hospital setting, hence shedding light on the difficulties and opportunities for establishing sustainable HIV/AIDS management. Key words: Individual attitude, disclosure, HIV/AIDS, People living with HIV/AIDS