Partner communication and HIV among socially disadvantaged women

Abstract

Partner communication related to HIV has been described as one protective factor in the prevention of the acquisition of this disease, favoring the adoption of safe sexual practices, such as couple negotiation and condom use. Objective: Determine the level of partner communication related to HIV among socially disadvantaged Chilean women. Four hundred and Six (406) women responded to a baseline interview for the research project Testing and HIVlAIDS Prevention Intervention for Chilean Women (ROI TW 006977, Pl. Cianelli). The Health Protective Sexual Communication Scale [HPC]. A descriptive analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences [SPSS], version 16.0. The mean level of partner communication was 3.26 +27 points with the main partner, 2.52 +248 points with the second partner, and O points with the third partner. The themes related with less partner communication were condom use and getting an HIV test before having sexual intercourse. Conclusion: Women in the sample had Iow levels of partner communication in relation to HIV with all their sexual partners. Strategies within HIVlAIDS prevention programs are needed to trigger partner communication, in order to strengthen the adoption of self care behaviours around this issue.