Exploration of Discordant Couples Challenges and Coping Mechanisms: A Case of Rural Kiambu County, Kenya
Loading...
Date
2018-08
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
(HIV/AIDS) is a health challenge to many nations. Different patterns of HIV
infections have emerged where there are couples living together but have different
HIV status, one partner is HIV positive while the other one is negative. Discordance
can cause challenges in a couple relationship. HIV discordance is poorly understood
among couples and the existing literature has not sufficiently addressed the challenges
and coping mechanisms in the rural Kenyan context. Therefore this study sought to
establish the challenges and the coping mechanisms of discordant couples in rural
Kiambu County, Kenya. A sample of 30individuals living in a discordant relationship
was purposively sampled for data collection. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was
used to collect data from the discordant couples. The study found out that the
discordant couples in rural Kiambu County experience negative emotions such as fear
of transmission, anxiety, stress, worry, hatred, hopelessness, stigma and
discrimination, blame and guilt among others. These negative emotions affect their
couple relationship in a variety of ways including sexual distancing, lack of interest in
sex among others. Relationship challenges are experienced from the couple as a dyad
and from outside. Challenges such as reproduction, domestic violence and separation
affect the relationship. The effects are manifested in such ways as family sizes,
communication and good use of preventive methods. The study also found out that
couples have different ways of coping like good use of condoms, good adherence to
ART and PrEP, couple counselling and good communication. Besides getting free
medication and condoms from the government through health facilities, individual
couples have also devised their own coping mechanisms such as assertiveness,
religion and networks with other discordant couples. For discordant couples in this
County to live holistically, the study recommends that the County and National
governments should increase funding to address HIV/AIDS related issues. The funds
channeled through National AIDS Control Council (NACC) will facilitate the hire of
more counsellors and social workers so that the needs of discordant couples can be
met through counselling, social support and awareness of discordance among the
general population.
Description
Keywords
Discordant Couples, Coping Mechanisms, Distribution of HIV, Emotional Challenges that Discordant Couples, Voluntary Counselling and Testing, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Antiretroviral Therapy, Communication among Discordant Couples
Citation
Tangaza University College