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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

Couples HIV counselling and couple relationships in India, Georgia and the Dominican Republic

Authors: Thierry Tiendrebeogo, Melanie Plazy, Shrinivas Darak, Marija Miric, Eddy Perez-Then, Maia Butsashvili, Patrice Tchendjou, François Dabis, Joanna Orne-Gliemann

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

Couples HIV counseling and testing is essential for combination HIV prevention, but its uptake remains very low. We aimed to evaluate factors associated with couples HIV counseling uptake in India, Georgia and the Dominican Republic, as part of the ANRS 12127 Prenahtest intervention trial.

Methods

Pregnant women ≥15 years, attending their first antenatal care (ANC) session between March and September 2009, self-reporting a stable partner, and having received couple-oriented post-test HIV counseling (trial intervention) were included. Individuals and couple characteristics associated with the acceptability of couples HIV counseling were assessed using multivariable logistic regression for each study site.

Results

Among 711 women included (232, 240 and 239 in the Dominican Republic, Georgia and India, respectively), the uptake of couples HIV counseling was 9.1% in the Dominican Republic, 13.8% in Georgia and 36.8% in India. The uptake of couples HIV counseling was associated with women having been accompanied by their partner to ANC, and never having used a condom with their partner in the Dominican Republic; with women having been accompanied by their partner to ANC in India; with women having a higher educational level than their partner and having ever discussed HIV with their partner in Georgia.

Conclusion

Couple HIV counseling uptake was overall low. Strategies adapted to local socio-cultural contexts, aiming at improving women’s education level, or tackling gender norms to facilitate the presence of men in reproductive health services, should be considered.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01494961. Registered December 15, 2011. (Retrospectively registered).
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Metadata
Title
Couples HIV counselling and couple relationships in India, Georgia and the Dominican Republic
Authors
Thierry Tiendrebeogo
Melanie Plazy
Shrinivas Darak
Marija Miric
Eddy Perez-Then
Maia Butsashvili
Patrice Tchendjou
François Dabis
Joanna Orne-Gliemann
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4901-8

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