MANAGING HIV AMONG SERODISCORDANT HETEROSEXUAL COUPLES - SEROSTATUS, STIGMA AND SEX

A qualitative study was conducted with 28 men and women in HIV-serodis cordant couples to explore the management of HIV in their relationship . Content analysis of the interviews revealed the role of serostatus a nd stigma in shaping partners' experience of HIV, sex and risk. Partne rs' differing serostatus often created feelings of alienation within t he relationship. Compounding this interpersonal dynamic, the HIV servi ce community was experienced as segregating because they were not fund ed or prepared to work with seronegative partners. Thus many, particul arly seronegative women, felt invisible both within and outside of the relationship. Yet, the uninfected partners shared the burden of a sti gmatizing illness because of the serodiscordant relationship. Stigma h indered communication about HIV and sex, disclosure to others and acce ss to services. Many experienced HIV as a loss of their sexuality. Ser onegative partners spoke about 'keeping sex alive' and often had to pu sh to continue having sex. Couples used multiple strategies to manage HIV, including developing strict behavioural guidelines, connecting wi th other couples, accessing scientific information and becoming educat ors and activists. These altruistic activities, which also included pa rticipation in research, helped to transcend external and internalized stigma. Implications for developing interventions for HIV-serodiscord ant couples are discussed.