I told her this is your life’

Relationship dynamics, partner support and adherence to antiretroviral therapy among South African couples

Bibliographic Data

ID15099307
AuthorsAmy Conroy (Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, USA), Amy A Conroy (0000-0002-0609-5077, San Francisco AIDS Foundation, corresponding author), Anna M Leddy (0000-0002-1508-4193, Johns Hopkins University), Anna Leddy (Department of Health, Behavior and Society, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA), Mallory O Johnson (0000-0003-0480-2804, University of California, San Francisco), Mallory Johnson (Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, USA), Thulani Ngubane (0000-0003-1030-0181, Human Sciences Research Council), Heidi Van Rooyen (0000-0002-6502-6098, Human and Social Development, Human Sciences Research Council, Overport, South Africa), Lynae A Darbes (0000-0003-4738-6812, University of Michigan), Lynae Darbes (University of Michigan)
Year2017
Volume19
Issue11
Pages1239-1253
Publication date2017-11-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueCulture Health & Sexuality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-1058 • E-ISSN: 1464-5351
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13691058.2017.1309460
PMID28398134
OpenAlexW2606420103
LanguageEN
Citations received39
References cited50

Despite the important role of social relationships for health and wellbeing, little is known about how primary partners affect adherence to HIV care and treatment. We qualitatively explored how relationship dynamics and partner support influence adherence among couples from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Twenty-four heterosexual couples with at least one HIV-positive partner completed semi-structured interviews on topics including relationship dynamics (intimacy or emotional closeness, communication, violence), experiences with HIV care and treatment and HIV-related social support. The majority of couples were seroconcordant HIV-positive (92%) and both on antiretroviral therapy (ART) (63%). Participants described how primary partners both interfered with and supported adherence. Negative forms of influence included relationship conflict, which resulted in forgetfulness to take pills, and men's attempt to control use of ART. However, participants were more likely to highlight positive forms of influence on adherence, which included social support (instrumental, informational and emotional), intimacy and commitment. The findings also suggest a reciprocal relationship between ART and relationships such that couple ART use may enhance relationship quality. Primary partners are important pillars of support for ART adherence, especially in contexts of high unemployment and poverty. Future interventions that encourage and leverage these supportive relationships could improve ART adherence among heterosexual couples in similar settings

Closeness · Developmental psychology · Interpersonal relationship · Poverty · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Social support · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Clinical Psychology · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology

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