ABSTRACT
Background: HIV/AIDS was still major health problem in Tanzania. A study done in Tanzania reported that seven percent of the population are infected with HIV, the HIV prevalence of positive HIV people is 5.6 % (1) and the prevalence of HIV infections among children under fifteen years old is 10%(2). Also studies in sub-Saharan countries reported that more than 90% of children have been infected through mother to child transmission (3). The rate of HIV status disclosure among people living with HIV/AIDS still low, the research done in Moshi, Tanzania reported only 79.5 % among people living with HIV/AIDS disclosure their HIV status (4). There was little information in Bugando Medical health Centre on prevalence and consequences of HIV status disclosure among people living with HIV/AIDS, therefore this study aimed to determine Prevalence and Consequences of HIV status Disclosure among people living with HIV/AIDS Attending Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania.

Method: The study was based on quantitative approach and cross sectional study design was employed. The sample size of the study was 173 study participants among HIV-positive people who were attending at Bugando Medical Centre had been tested for HIV at least one month prior to the study. Questionnaires were used to gather information on possible prevalence and Consequences of HIV status disclosure among people living with HIV.

Results: A total of 173 HIV-positive people living with HIV were involved, of which 83 HIV people which is 83.0% had disclosed their HIV status. Following disclosure among HIV people 45% stigma, discrimination 43%, abandonment 10.3% and 1.7% were financially supported.

Conclusion: HIV status disclosure to people living with HIV/AIDS was associated with increased support, but was impeded by fear of negative consequences such as violence, stigma and discrimination. Interventions to eliminate negative consequences could increase rate of HIV status disclosure. Therefore, studying on the prevalence and consequences of HIV status disclosure among people living with HIV/AIDS will be helpful on reducing the chance of person to person transmission of HIV infection as several recommendations were given to both community, community health workers and hospital healthcare personnel. The study also aids on opening other research questions concerning the improvement of prevention of person to person transmission of HIV infection.