Sexual experiences of married HIV positive women in Osogbo, southwest Nigeria: role of inappropriate status disclosure

Abstract

BackgroundWorldwide heterosexual sex is the most common mode of HIV transmission, with the marital heterosexual route becoming a major contributor in sub-Sahara Africa. This study examined the role of inappropriate HIV status disclosure, after diagnosis, on marital sexual experiences of HIV positive women.MethodsThe study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design. An interviewer administered questionnaire that elicited information about HIV status disclosure to partners, sexual experiences, condom use and parity was administered to 122 married women living with HIV/AIDS. Participants were referred from peripheral health centres to receive comprehensive HIV care at the State Specialist Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria.ResultsMean age (SD) of respondents was 33.8 (8.9) years. Only 23.8% of partners had HIV screening, with 3.3% being HIV positive. A majority (62%) of respondents reported experiencing marital sex deprivation since their partners became aware of their HIV status. There was a reported rejection (74.3%) of condom use by partners during sexual intercourse. Fear of becoming infected (85.7%) and blaming the women for their positive status (85.7%) were the main reasons the respondents gave for being sexually deprived by their partners.ConclusionInappropriate status disclosure due to poor HIV counseling and testing (HCT) practices resulted in sexual deprivation of married HIV positive women. Adequate training and retraining of health care workers on HCT and HIV status disclosure will reduce experience of sexual deprivation among married HIV positive women.

Factors Associated With the Consistent Use of the Male Condom Among Women Living With Hiv/Aids

“…17 In cases where there is no appropriate dialogue between partners, women living with HIV may refrain from sexual activities, especially married women living in a serodiscordant relationship, as reported in a study performed in Nigeria. 18 A study performed in Africa indicated that women find it difficult to discuss prevention methods with their partner due to differences in gender and power. 13 However, black American women were successful in discussing HIV testing with partners and an increase in trust between the couple was noted.…”

The Lived Experience of PLWHA and Partner’s Responses toward the Fulfillment of Sexual Needs

“…PLWHA who received support from their couples had better life quality of 40.746 times than those who did not (Chama, Morrupa, & Gashau, 2007). However, Adekanle et al (2015) reported that the participants involved in the study who received continuous support from their partner were still classified as low, i.e., only 14.3 % (4 out of 28 total participants). A preliminary field interview by the researchers with two men positive with HIV in Sanur, Bali also revealed that sexual need is the need which is reasonable to be fulfilled.…”

“…A study conducted in Morocco involving 134 PLWHA reported that 17% respondents expressed fear to have sex since they did not want to transmit the virus to their couple, whereas 18% were reported to have sexual dysfunction (Fane et al, 2011). In another study, it was reported that of 28 participants, 85.7% expressed the fear from their couples when they were known for HIV positive (Adekanle, Olowookere, Adewole, Adeleke, & Ijadunola, 2015). Craft and Serovich (2008) stated that stress and depression experienced by the participants after they were deemed to positive HIV gave an effect on the declined sexual excitement in PLWHA.…”

“…As many as 48.2% PLWHA had experienced discrimination after known infected with HIV, 12.2% experienced discrimination from relatives, 12.1% from friends, 26.2% from health workers, 18.7% from their relationship and 13.2% from workplace (Adekanle, Olowookere, Adewole, Adeleke, & Ijadunola, 2015;Bouhnik, Preau, Schiltz, Obadia, & Spire, 2008;). Discrimination is one of the causes of stress and depression for PLWHA (Chama, Morrupa, & Gashau, 2007).…”

HIV Status Disclosure and Uptake of Female Condom among Women Accessing Antiretroviral Therapy Services at a Military Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria

“…It is recommended that women disclose their HIV status to family, or friends, but most importantly, a stable partner [22]. This has been linked to improved health outcomes for PLWH [23] and will encourage safe sex practices among partners, especially in settings where heterosexual sex is becoming a common means of HIV transmission among couples [24].…”