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Serovich, Ph. The purpose of this paper is to report results of a qualitative investigation into the methods that HIV-positive men who have sex with men MSM use to disclose their serostatus to casual sexual partners. Using an inductive approach to data analysis, our participants revealed a typology of disclosure consisting of strategies that can be placed into five primary categorizations of disclosure.
These include: point-blank disclosure, indirect disclosure, stage setting, buffering, and seeking similars. This information can be especially beneficial to those working with men to develop better disclosure skills. Little progress has been made in understanding nuances of MSM sexual behavior or communication that may be perpetuating the spread of HIV.
Thus, individuals may be placing themselves at undue risk because of poor communication. Investigators have focused on disclosure to family and friends, 2 — 5 employers and coworkers, 6 — 8 and medical personnel. Rates of reported disclosure to sexual partners vary considerably. Hence, overall rates of disclosure to sexual partners are quite low.
From a public health perspective, it is important to understand not only to whom MSM disclose their serostatus, but how this is accomplished successfully.
