Uptake of couples HIV testing among couples who have never previously tested together nor mutually disclosed their HIV status. Infections and Infestations
Conditions
Interventions
This behavioural intervention is comprised of up to 6 sessions (2 group sessions and 4 couple counselling sessions). The first group session will initially be mixed gender, to discuss couple's health
Sponsors
University of Southampton
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Couples will be considered eligible for baseline screening if : 1. Both partners aged 18 and older 2. In a primary relationship with opposite sex partner. [Defined as: “Are you currently in a relationship with a person of the opposite sex to whom you feel committed above anyone else and with whom you have had sexual relations”] 3. Both partners report the relationship length has lasted at least 6 months 4. Both partners willing and able to provide informed consent
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: Couples will be considered ineligible for baseline screening if : 1. Both partners report participating in couples-focused testing for HIV with their current partner [Defined as: Both partners tested for HIV at the same time and disclosed the results]. 2. Either partner reports their current marital status as polygamous. 3. Either partner reports participating in the previous Uthando Lwethu study 4. Either partner fails to answer exploratory relationship-focused questions about their partner.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| The proportion of couples that take up couples HIV testing as part of a health screening visit during study follow-up i.e. within 4 months from the date of the first group session | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Concordance of HIV test results among couples who take up couple's HIV testing during the couple's health screening visit 2. Uptake of blood pressure (BP) measurement as a couple during the couple's health screening visit 3. Concordance of hypertension diagnosis (defined as >140/90 mmHg) within couples who take up couple's BP measurements during the couple's health screening visit 4. Uptake of sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing as a couple during the couple's health screening visit 5. Acceptability of self-sampling for STI testing, measured using Likert scales asked as part of the questionnaire administered during the couple's health screening visit 6. DNA yield of the penile swab samples self-collected by men for STI testing during the couple's health screening visit, measured using DNA amplification methods 7. Concordance of STI test results (Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhea, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Treponema pallidum) within couples who take up couple's STI testing 8. Uptake of random blood glucose (RBG) finger-prick test for diabetes as a couple during the couples health screening visit 9. Concordance of diabetes diagnosis (defined as RBG >11.0 mmol/L) within couples who take up the couple's RBG testing during the couple's health screening visit 10. Uptake of height and weight measurement for the calculation of body mass index (BMI), using an electronic scale (Scale Digital BMI 1110H (SOAMAA)), as a couple during the couple's health screening visit 11. Obesity (BMI=30 kg/m2) concordance within the couple during the couple's health screening visit 12. Acceptability of the intervention and participation using individual, semi-structured process interviews at various time points during and after the intervention of a purposive sample of participating couples 13. Whether relationship dynamics are factors in achieving the outcome of couples’ uptake of HIV-testing together within the Igugu Lethu study follow-up, using relationship scale | — |
Countries
South Africa
Contacts
Public ContactAlastair Van Heerden
Outcome results
None listed