Keeping and Disclosing a Secret Among People with HIV in Israel‪.‬

Acquiring HIV infection is sometimes a consequence of behaviors; what an individual does may determine transmission (Fishbein, 2000). Few studies have examined the intention of HIV-infected people to reveal their secret to others, and little is known about the factors associated with disclosure (Kadushin, 2000; Moneyham et el., 1996). The literature deals mainly with the dilemma related to disclosure, while underscoring that the intention to reveal is not necessarily associated with subsequent behavior (Holland, Breitbart, & Mermelstein, 1992). Disclosure can benefit public health by helping contain the transmission of the virus (Bor, 1997), people with HIV may lose their jobs and access to health care and education (Bor; Hays et el., 1993). Studies of disclosure patterns show that HIV-infected people selectively inform significant others, and disclosure rates vary according to gender, stage of the disease, psychological conditions, and fear of stigma (DeVita et el., 1997; Holt et el., 1998).