Caring Masculinities in the Context of HIV Serodiscordant Relationships in Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Globally, there is limited research exploring the positive role men play in reducing HIV vulnerability or in the care and support of women living with HIV. This paper draws on interviews conducted with men and women in heterosexual HIV serodiscordant relationships as part of a longitudinal qualitative study exploring the social aspects of biomedicine among serodiscordant couples in two high HIV-burden areas in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Findings highlight that some HIV negative men in heterosexual relationships are resisting hegemonic masculine norms they see as harmful and are embracing caring masculine identities as they seek to support their HIV-positive wives. We suggest that understandings of masculinity in the context of the HIV epidemic in PNG should be broadened from simplistic discourses and representations of men as largely uncaring and violent to incorporate deeper understanding of how men can and are embracing caring masculinities.

A socio-ecological analysis of factors influencing HIV treatment initiation and adherence among key populations in Papua New Guinea

“…Passing as HIV negative was probably not as important for some as it was passing as cis-gender. Similar findings have been noted in other studies in PNG [36,37] and among key populations in LMICs [27,34]. Friendly, non-judgmental and supportive patientprovider relationships that assisted participants navigate HIV services after diagnosis and ensured early ART initiation enabled HIV care [11,12,24,27,34].…”

Cultural Repertoires and Situated Selections as an Alternative Framework to Hegemonic Masculinities: Findings From Eswatini

“…Siu and colleagues argue that men in a Ugandan gold mining community draw and act on “dividual” notions of “reputation” (depicted as a hindrance for accessing treatment) and “respectability” (depicted as a catalyst for accessing treatment) depending on the circumstances in which they find themselves ( Siu et al, 2013 ). Mitchell and colleagues portray HIV-negative men in serodiscordant relationships in Papua New Guinea settings as “embodying caring masculine identities” ( Mitchell et al, 2021 , p. 15). Our Eswatini PrEP study echoes male responses that show a variety of male behavior speaking to differing ideals in the area of work, relationships and sexuality as Figure 2 shows.…”

“We Live Just Like a Normal Family”: Exploring Local Renderings of the Global HIV Normalisation Discourse Among Serodiscordant Couples in Papua New Guinea

“…Informed written consent was gained from all participants. The interviews were conducted in Tok Pisin or English by experienced Papua New Guinean social researchers, using semi-structured interview schedules to explore various relational aspects of HIV, some of which we have discussed in recent publications (Mitchell et al, 2021;Persson et al, 2020;Persson et al, 2021).…”

“…April's story above points to a highly gendered dynamic that surfaced in interviews with both HIV-positive and HIV-negative women. While there were many stories of caring and supportive marriages (Mitchell et al, 2021), some women seemed invested in the notion of normality because they, like many women in PNG, were highly dependent on their husbands for their own and their children's livelihood. They worried how they would survive if they left their husbands, and this likely acted as a significant motivator to accept and extol a serodiscordant marriage in spite of social stigma and, in some cases, violence and abuse.…”

“…Other couples described how the shock of the diagnosis had been transformative, bringing them closer together as a couple, with mutual support and kindness perceived as the key to health and survival (see Mitchell et al, 2021). Investing in a harmonious relationship and home-life was articulated as the antidote to HIV-related illness and death, thus safeguarding the family's livelihood and future.…”