TY - JOUR
T1 - Sex after ART
T2 - Sexual partnerships established by HIV-infected persons taking anti-retroviral therapy in Eastern Uganda
AU - Seeley, Janet
AU - Russell, Steve
AU - Khana, Kenneth
AU - Ezati, Enoch
AU - King, Rachel
AU - Bunnell, Rebecca
PY - 2009/10/1
Y1 - 2009/10/1
N2 - This paper explores the social contexts that influence the formation and nature of sexual partnerships among people on anti-retroviral therapy (ART). We draw on the findings of a qualitative, longitudinal study of 70 people (36 women and 34 men) who have been participating in a home-based ART programme for over three years in Eastern Uganda. Since initiating ART, 32 (18 men and 14 women) participants reported having had a new partner. Five participants (4 men and 1 woman) renewed relationships with spouses with whom they had been prior to starting ART. Overall, 37 of the 70 participants had had a sexual partner after starting ART. Companionship, material support, social and cultural norms, as well as a desire for sex and children, are drivers of new relationships. The opportunity that ART brings for people to get on with their lives brings with it a reinstatement into a social world that places a value on marriage and child-bearing. The sexual rights of those living with HIV and on ART need to be taken seriously and safer sex facilitated.
AB - This paper explores the social contexts that influence the formation and nature of sexual partnerships among people on anti-retroviral therapy (ART). We draw on the findings of a qualitative, longitudinal study of 70 people (36 women and 34 men) who have been participating in a home-based ART programme for over three years in Eastern Uganda. Since initiating ART, 32 (18 men and 14 women) participants reported having had a new partner. Five participants (4 men and 1 woman) renewed relationships with spouses with whom they had been prior to starting ART. Overall, 37 of the 70 participants had had a sexual partner after starting ART. Companionship, material support, social and cultural norms, as well as a desire for sex and children, are drivers of new relationships. The opportunity that ART brings for people to get on with their lives brings with it a reinstatement into a social world that places a value on marriage and child-bearing. The sexual rights of those living with HIV and on ART need to be taken seriously and safer sex facilitated.
KW - HIV and AIDS
KW - anti-retroviral therapy
KW - sexual behaviour
KW - Uganda
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=73149121708&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/13691050903003897
DO - 10.1080/13691050903003897
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:73149121708
SN - 1369-1058
VL - 11
SP - 703
EP - 716
JO - Culture, Health & Sexuality
JF - Culture, Health & Sexuality
IS - 7
ER -
