Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development

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A Qualitative Study Investigating the Concerns, Awareness and Behaviour of HIV Sero-discordant Heterosexual Couples in South India


Affiliations
1 Department of HIV Medicine, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, United Kingdom
2 Department of Community Health, St. John's College Hospital, Bangalore, India
3 Department of Medicine, St. John's College Hospital, Bangalore, India
     

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Negative partners within HIV sero-discordant represent an important at risk group for HIV acquisition. In India, risk reduction strategies target high risk groups but often overlook these individuals. We sought to discover from sero-discordant couples: issues around their awareness and understanding of HIV, changes in their behaviour within the relationship and coping mechanisms following HIV diagnosis and their main concerns for the future, in order to help inform the development of specific counselling strategies. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with discordant couples attending an urban treatment centre in South India. A widespread lack of awareness and heavy presence of stigma around HIV prevailed. Issues such as modes of transmission and prognosis were largely misunderstood and the prevalence of inter-marital difficulties and reduced sexual desire was high. Effective post test counselling is crucial but where ongoing counselling has previously focussed on the positive partner, emphasis should move to couple based strategies which would ensure that both partners receive the same information in a controlled environment and from experienced personnel. Health care professionals should look carefully at their patient's marital circumstances and educate couples about the risks of onward HIV transmission, condom use, issues around family planning and child-wish and most importantly ensure that their emotional needs are addressed.

Keywords

Sero-Discordant, HIV Prevention, HIV Transmission
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  • A Qualitative Study Investigating the Concerns, Awareness and Behaviour of HIV Sero-discordant Heterosexual Couples in South India

Abstract Views: 223  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

S Soni
Department of HIV Medicine, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, United Kingdom
R Naveen
Department of Community Health, St. John's College Hospital, Bangalore, India
D Richardson
Department of HIV Medicine, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, United Kingdom
G D Ravindran
Department of Medicine, St. John's College Hospital, Bangalore, India

Abstract


Negative partners within HIV sero-discordant represent an important at risk group for HIV acquisition. In India, risk reduction strategies target high risk groups but often overlook these individuals. We sought to discover from sero-discordant couples: issues around their awareness and understanding of HIV, changes in their behaviour within the relationship and coping mechanisms following HIV diagnosis and their main concerns for the future, in order to help inform the development of specific counselling strategies. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with discordant couples attending an urban treatment centre in South India. A widespread lack of awareness and heavy presence of stigma around HIV prevailed. Issues such as modes of transmission and prognosis were largely misunderstood and the prevalence of inter-marital difficulties and reduced sexual desire was high. Effective post test counselling is crucial but where ongoing counselling has previously focussed on the positive partner, emphasis should move to couple based strategies which would ensure that both partners receive the same information in a controlled environment and from experienced personnel. Health care professionals should look carefully at their patient's marital circumstances and educate couples about the risks of onward HIV transmission, condom use, issues around family planning and child-wish and most importantly ensure that their emotional needs are addressed.

Keywords


Sero-Discordant, HIV Prevention, HIV Transmission

References