Concerns about partner infidelity are a barrier to adoption of HIV-prevention strategies among young South African couples

Title
Concerns about partner infidelity are a barrier to adoption of HIV-prevention strategies among young South African couples
Publication Date
2014
Author(s)
Parker, Lisa
Pettifor, Audrey
Sibeko, Jabu
Maman, Suzanne
MacPhail, Catherine
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0614-0157
Email: cmacphai@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:cmacphai
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Routledge
Place of publication
United Kingdom
DOI
10.1080/13691058.2014.905707
UNE publication id
une:16691
Abstract
As part of a larger study to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a couples-based HIV-prevention intervention, we conducted formative in-depth interviews with 10 couples to explore topics such as challenges in practising safer sex, HIV-prevention strategies, gender power and violence, and issues of trust and infidelity. In this study, both men and women perceived infidelity as ubiquitous in their social context and were therefore unable to discuss HIV risk and prevention without suspicions of infidelity in their own relationship. This impacted couples' ability openly and effectively to discuss strategies to prevent HIV and thus may have contributed to the limited uptake of HIV-prevention strategies, such as condom use and HIV testing. The contentious nature of safe-sex discussions placed both members of the couple at a higher risk for HIV acquisition within the partnership. This study sheds light on how existing relationship norms in South Africa influence HIV-prevention communication within couples and suggests that new ways of approaching conflictual issues such as mistrust and infidelity are vital in order for HIV-prevention programmes to succeed.
Link
Citation
Culture, Health and Sexuality, 16(7), p. 792-805
ISSN
1464-5351
1369-1058
Start page
792
End page
805

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