Maximizing the impact of HIV prevention efforts: interventions for couples

AIDS Care. 2013;25(12):1569-80. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2013.793269. Epub 2013 May 8.

Abstract

Despite efforts to increase access to HIV testing and counseling services, population coverage remains low. As a result, many people in sub-Saharan Africa do not know their own HIV status or the status of their sex partner(s). Recent evidence, however, indicates that as many as half of HIV-positive individuals in ongoing sexual relationships have an HIV-negative partner and that a significant proportion of new HIV infections in generalized epidemics occur within serodiscordant couples. Integrating couples HIV testing and counseling (CHTC) into routine clinic- and community-based services can significantly increase the number of couples where the status of both partners is known. Offering couples a set of evidence-based interventions once their HIV status has been determined can significantly reduce HIV incidence within couples and if implemented with sufficient scale and coverage, potentially reduce population-level HIV incidence as well. This article describes these interventions and their potential benefits.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS Serodiagnosis
  • Africa South of the Sahara
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Counseling
  • Disclosure*
  • Family Planning Services
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / diagnosis
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • Heterosexuality
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Male
  • Medication Adherence
  • Preventive Health Services / methods*
  • Risk Reduction Behavior
  • Safe Sex

Substances

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents