Browsing by Author "Nyirenda, Feliya"

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    Perceptions of HIV sero-positive men towards HIV partner notification at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital
    (Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, 2009-12-30) Nyirenda, Feliya
    The purpose of the study was to find out the perception of HIV sero-positive men towards HIV partner notification. The health belief model by Rosenstock (2002) was used to guide the study. A qualitative, descriptive research design was used. Data was collected using a semi-structured interview guide on 12 participants sampled conveniently at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital ARV clinic. Content analysis of data was done. The results of the study have indicated that the participants' age ranged from 26- 45 years of age. Most of them were married and working. Most of the participants new what HIV and AIDS is, how it is transmitted and prevented but some still didn't know the differences between HIV and AIDS. Most of the participants saw a need for HIV partner notification. Most of them had disclosed their HIV status to their partners as were motivated with such reasons as: preventing HIV infection and re-infection; partners had already disclosed their status to them after getting tested for HIV at the antenatal clinics; the love they have for their partners as well as due to the problems they had gone through together. Other men saw a need for disclosure but did not actually disclose as were afraid of their partners' reactions, that is, were afraid of being divorced and being discriminated against. Some of those who had disclosed were accepted, attained psychological wellbeing and their relationships were maintained and they used condoms to prevent transmission of the HIV virus. Others had quarrels and their relationships turned sour. Those who didn't disclose did not use condoms. In conclusion, a lot of men know what HIV and AIDS is all about and see the importance in one notifying their partners of their HIV status. However, disclosure decision-making process results from people weighing the pros and cons associated with disclosure.