Sexual relations and childbearing decisions of HIV-discordant couples: an exploratory study in South Africa and Tanzania
SOURCE: Reproductive Health Matters
OUTPUT TYPE: Journal Article
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2011
TITLE AUTHOR(S): L.C.Rispel, C.A.Metcalf, K.Moody, A.Cloete, G.Caswell
KEYWORDS: CHILDREN, HIV/AIDS, PREVENTION OF MOTHER TO CHILD TRANSMISSION (PMTCT) PROGRAMME, REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, RISK BEHAVIOUR, SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR
DEPARTMENT: Public Health, Societies and Belonging (HSC)
Print: HSRC Library: shelf number 6850
HANDLE: 20.500.11910/3768
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11910/3768
OUTPUT TYPE: Journal Article
PUBLICATION YEAR: 2011
TITLE AUTHOR(S): L.C.Rispel, C.A.Metcalf, K.Moody, A.Cloete, G.Caswell
KEYWORDS: CHILDREN, HIV/AIDS, PREVENTION OF MOTHER TO CHILD TRANSMISSION (PMTCT) PROGRAMME, REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, RISK BEHAVIOUR, SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR
DEPARTMENT: Public Health, Societies and Belonging (HSC)
Print: HSRC Library: shelf number 6850
HANDLE: 20.500.11910/3768
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11910/3768
If you would like to obtain a copy of this Research Output, please contact Hanlie Baudin at researchoutputs@hsrc.ac.za.
Abstract
This article reports on the influence of HIV on sexual relations and childbearing decisions of 36 HIV-discordant couples, 26 in South Africa and 10 in Tanzania, recruited into an exploratory study through hospital antiretroviral treatment clinics and civil society organisations working with people living with HIV. Self-administered questionnaires were used to obtain social and demographic information, while couples' sexual relations and childbearing decisions were explored through in-depth, semi-structured individual and couple interviews. The majority of the HIV-positive partners were women, who were on antiretroviral treatment. Almost one-third of South African respondents and half of those in Tanzania reported experiences of tension related to HIV-discordance, while more than half of the South Africans and almost three-quarters of the Tanzanians reported that intimacy had been affected by their discordant status. Those without children were more likely to desire children (17/23) than those who already had children (16/44), although this desire was influenced by fear of HIV transmission to the negative partner and medical professional advice. The study points to the need for targeted information for HIV discordant couples, as well as couple counselling and support services.-
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