Client and Provider Experiences in Uganda Suggest Demand for and Highlight the Importance of Addressing HIV Stigma and Gender Norms Within Safer Conception Care
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AIDS and Behavior
Abstract
Safer conception counseling supports HIV-serodifferent couples to meet reproductive goals while minimizing HIV transmission
risk, but has not been integrated into routine HIV care. We piloted a novel safer conception program in an established
public-sector HIV clinic in Uganda to inform future implementation. In-depth interviews and counseling observations
explored experiences of program clients and healthcare providers to assess program acceptability, appropriateness, and
feasibility. Fifteen index clients (8 women, 7 men), 10 pregnancy partners, and 10 providers completed interviews; 15 participants
were living with HIV. Ten observations were conducted. We identified four emergent themes: (1) High demand for
safer conception services integrated within routine HIV care, (2) Evolving messages of antiretroviral treatment as prevention
contribute to confusion about HIV prevention options, (3) Gender and sexual relationship power inequities shape safer
conception care, and (4) HIV-related stigma impacts safer conception care uptake. These findings confirm the need for safer
conception care and suggest important implementation considerations.
Description
Keywords
HIV prevention, Safer conception, Sexual and reproductive health, HIV-serodifferent couples, Uganda
Citation
Young, C. R., Gill, E., Bwana, M., Muyindike, W., Hock, R. S., Pratt, M. C., ... & Matthews, L. T. (2022). Client and Provider Experiences in Uganda Suggest Demand for and Highlight the Importance of Addressing HIV Stigma and Gender Norms Within Safer Conception Care. AIDS and Behavior, 26(1), 76-87. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-021-03343-4