Discordant couples

DISCORDANT COUPLES

They are couples where one partner is infected and the other one is not.

An HIV positive woman can conceive naturally. This can be done through limited conceptions attempts during the most fertile days of one's circle.

If one's partner has an undetectable viral load on treatment then the risk became zero.

WAYS HIV CAN BE TRANSMITTED TO A BABY

During  pregnancy

At the time of delivery

Through breastfeeding.

However,there is intervention of reducing the risk of transmission to the baby during pregnancy and birth.This include;

Taking treatment so that viral load is undetectable by the time of delivery

Giving the baby a course of treatment for the first weeks of life
Discordant couples often needs counselling and support to achieve skills to perform behavior that support achieving a safer pregnancy,which at the individual level require adequate language and skills of ART -based and behavioural safer conception strategies.


Challenges faced by a discordant couples

Accepting other partner's status is a difficult undertaking.

There's a feeling of betrayal on the side of negative partner.

Positive may feel guilty for putting his/her partner in predicament.

May affect couple's sex life since there's trust issues.

HOW CAN COMMUNITY  HELP DISCORDANT COUPLES

Through continuous education on HIV.

Treatment adherence like advising them
 to take ARVs.

Through psychological support groups like teaching members about infection prevention, use of condoms,substance abuse and income generation project.


By not making their status an issue...like not attacking positive partner or put him/her down based on her status.

By understanding HIV as a member of community n educating others.


Conclusion

It is a choice of the couples to determine the desire to have a family or not despite of pressure from family,or gender norms from the community.
ODOUR PHOEBE ACHIENG


CDS-01-0139-2018

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