The women feared abandonment by
family members and that their families would not keep their
status private. Many were worried that telling their family
would result in others knowing about their diagnosis. The
women also recounted instances in which they were treated
differently by their family (eg, separate eating utensils, a
specific place to sit, and limited or no physical contact with
children). The women also balanced their need for social
support with overburdening their families. In disclosing to
children, these participants often failed to share their HIV
status for fear of worrying them or causing them sadness