Only half of adults believe they should disclose their sexually transmitted infection status

HealthDay News — Only half of people report having a sexually transmitted infection (STI) before sex, or believe they should, according to a literature review published online June 5 in the Journal of Sexual Research.

Kayley D. McMahan, Ph.D., and Spencer B. Olmstead, Ph.D., of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, conducted a systematic literature review to critically appraise the literature on STI disclosure (excluding HIV disclosure).

Based on 32 included studies, researchers found that individuals with STIs experience a range of negative feelings and emotions related to the prospect of disclosure. Moral obligation, love for one’s partner, and desire for support were reasons for disclosure, whereas fear of one’s partner’s reaction and response, fear of rejection or separation, and belief in lack of commitment were reasons for nondisclosure. Strategies for disclosure included preparatory messages, framing, and direct disclosure. Strategies of nondisclosers included pretending to be uninfected, withdrawing from relationships, and using outbursts to time sexual activity. Half or fewer individuals disclosed their STI status or believed they should disclose it before engaging in sexual activity. Predictors of disclosure included relationship-related factors (e.g., higher levels of commitment, relationship quality, length of time spent together, and feelings of closeness).

“How the recipient reacts and responds and the relationship with the recipient can have a critical influence on the discloser,” the authors write. “Therefore, it is imperative that we examine recipients’ experiences to better understand the process of STI disclosure so that we can continue to improve sexual health education and care for all.”

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