Men’s reluctance to know and share their HIV diagnosis • Women felt that men need more information about the benefits of HIV testing • Men refused to receive HIV tests even when feeling unwell or partner was HIV-positive • Men want to “test by proxy” and determine their HIV status based on their partner’s status |
Pretending to be HIV negative • If men do learn their HIV status, they often keep it a secret • A few women reported that their partners hid their HIV status and secretly took ART • The majority of women reported that even if their partner learned their HIV status they would still refuse ART |
Lacking male spaces • Participants claimed that men do not access the health facility because they view it as a ‘female space’ and are not comfortable accessing services there • Participants recommended creating a separate space for men at the facility • Some participants recommend having more male HCWs available to speak with the men |
Men’s powerful influence on their partner’s ART adherence • Men often discouraged or prevented their partners from initiating or adhering to ART • Some men provided incorrect information about ART to their female partners • Some women reported that their partners were supportive and helped remind them to take ART |
Lingering beliefs about HIV and ART • There were many lingering beliefs in the community about HIV being a death sentence and a lack of messages about the ability to live a long and healthy life on ART • Previously ART was for those who had low CD4 counts and were very ill. The idea that ART is only for the very ill remains in the community • Many people are not aware of the developments in ART and believe that ART is still a complicated multi-pill regimen • Many fear the side effect of being disfigured, that was associated with drugs used in the older ART regimens |