Publications

HIV sero-discordant refers to a situation where in a pair of long-term sexual partners, one isHIV positive and the other is HIV negative. There is an increased risk of HIV transmission tothe HIV-negative partner in discordant couples which makes HIV serodiscordant a hindranceto HIV control and prevention strategies. Sero-discordance is one of the factors affecting theimpact of HIV prevention strategies, therefore effective HIV prevention strategies mustconsider HIV discordance. Limited knowledge about the prevalence of HIV serodiscordant inthe community hinders the formulation of appropriate strategies for effective control of HIVtransmission. The study was aimed at determining the prevalence of HIV serodiscordant andits associated factors among couples attending Iganga General Hospital. The knowledgegenerated will guide the stakeholders in formulating HIV prevention and control strategiesaimed at reducing HIV transmission. A cross-sectional hospital-based study was carried outthrough the conduction of guided interviews using a questionnaire to random-systematicallyselected 250 couples attending IGH. Data was analyzed and presented in tables withpercentages comparing different factors. The HIV seroprevalence was 6.8%. The prevalenceof discordance was 4.8% among participant couples and 52.2% among the infected couples.HIV serodiscordant was associated with sexual practice (83.3%), circumcision status of themale partner in the couple (58.3%), condom use (58.3%), use of ARVs by the HIV-infectedpartner (25%), and experience of STIs among partners (25%). The prevalence of HIV serodiscordant among the participant couples was 4.8%, associated mainly with sexual practice, circumcision, and condom use.