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

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.

‘It is not expected for married couples’: a qualitative study on challenges to safer sex communication among polygamous and monogamous partners in southeastern Tanzania

“…This finding is similar to dynamics observed in Zimbabwe and Malawi where trust, and a belief that condom use would contradict love, constrained safer sex negotiation and practice for married partners ( 51 , 52 ). Parker et al ( 53 ) in South Africa found that concerns about partners’ infidelities, that is, extramarital affairs, were a barrier to safer sex dialogue among couples.…”

Sexual communication self-efficacy, hegemonic masculine norms and condom use among heterosexual couples in South Africa

“…Indeed, evidence suggests that couples in primary relationships in SA believe that condoms symbolize distrust and infidelity, and interfere with intimacy. (Mindry et al, 2011; Parker, Pettifor, Maman, Sibeko, & MacPhail, 2014)…”

I Drank Because I Wanted to Deal With the Frustration”: Explaining Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy in a Low-Resource Setting – Women’s, Partners and Family Members’ Narratives

“…Father absence, for example, is well documented in South Africa and persists for a number of reasons, including rural-urban labour migration and denied responsibility of fatherhood (Padi, Nduna, Khunou & Kholopane, 2014). Infidelity and lack of condom use mark many heterosexual relationships (Pettifor, Macphail, Anderson & Maman, 2012), and fear of infidelity drives some unhealthy practices (Parker, Pettifor, Maman, Sibeko & Macphail, 2014).…”