Men fail to tell of HIV

A study in the United States published today found that three out of four women infected with HIV told their sexual partners, while about half the number of infected men disclosed their condition. Researchers at two New England city hospitals found that only 52 per cent of men as opposed to 78 per cent of women told their sexual partners of their HIV status.

Of those who did not disclose they were infected, only 42 per cent said they always used a condom during sexual intercourse.

The researchers interviewed HIV patients who reported having sexual partners during the previous six months and found that among those who had one steady partner, 21 per cent failed to disclose their status. "There are powerful forces working in favour of non-disclosure," the researchers said. "There are the psychological consequences of disclosure, especially the risk of rejection."

- Reuters, Boston