title: A qualitative study of barriers to consistent condom use among HIV-1 serodiscordant couples in Kenya.
abstract: This study explored barriers to consistent condom use among heterosexual HIV-1 serodiscordant couples who were aware of the HIV-1 serodiscordant status and had been informed about condom use as a risk reduction strategy. We conducted 28 in-depth interviews and 9 focus group discussions among purposively selected heterosexual HIV-1 serodiscordant couples from Thika and Nairobi districts in Kenya. We analyzed the transcribed data with a grounded theory approach. The most common barriers to consistent condom use included male partners' reluctance to use condoms regardless of HIV-1 status coupled with female partners' inability to negotiate condom use, misconceptions about HIV-1 serodiscordance, and desire for children. Specific areas of focus should include development of skills for women to effectively negotiate condom use, ongoing information on HIV-1 serodiscordance and education on safer conception practices that minimize risk of HIV-1 transmission.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. k_ngure@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ngure
authors.forename: Nelly
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mugo
authors.forename: Connie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Celum
authors.forename: Jared M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Baeten
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: Owuor
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Olungah
authors.forename: Joyce
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Olenja
authors.forename: Harrison
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tamooh
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shell-Duncan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003144:Communication Barriers; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D015497:HIV-1; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D036301:Qualitative Research; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000523:psychology*; D012731:Sex Counseling; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology
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