HIV negative women's communication of their HIV status to their intimate partners

This article identifies factors that differentiate HIV-negative, drug-involved women in New York City (N = 104) who communicate their HIV status to their intimate partners from those who do not. Findings indicate that HIV-negative women are more likely to reveal their status to their intimate partners if they (a) were tested more often for HIV, (b) talked with supporters about various HIV/AIDS-related issues besides their HIV status, (c) had a larger number of other supporters (in addition to intimate partners), (d) also communicated their HIV status to a larger percent of their other supporters, and (e) felt very sure they could ask their partner(s) about their partners' other sex partners. Drug treatment programs may be able to help HIV-negative women avoid contracting the virus by encouraging them to communicate with their supporters, especially their intimate partners, about their HIV status as well as HIV risk reduction practices.