Living with discordance: knowledge, challenges, and prevention strategies of HIV-discordant couples in Uganda.

摘要: Prevalence of HIV-discordance among couples in sub-Saharan Africa is high. Negative partners are at high risk HIV infection but few HIV/AIDS service providers have developed effective counseling messages for HIV-discordant couples. To identify clients' explanations discordance, challenges, and prevention strategies, 24 in-depth interviews 4 focus group discussions were conducted with 32 female 35 male members who sought voluntary testing (VCT) Uganda. In addition, counselor discordance gathered from 62 trainers during 3 interactive workshops. Misconceptions about widespread clients counselors. Common included: the concept a hidden not detectable by tests, belief immunity, thought that gentle sex protected HIV-negative partners, protection God. Such reinforced denial negative partner within discordant potentially increased transmission risk. Couples identified negotiation sexual relations as their most formidable challenge. Prevention strategies included condom use, abstinence separation beds, contractual agreements outside relationship cessation. Discordant represent critical improved protocols clearly explain emphasize transmission, support reduction urgently needed.