Participants relayed discovering about their HIV status to the way they got contaminated.

31st Июль , 2020

Learning about a person’s HIV status

Most of the individuals (17) self-reported looking for an HIV test as a result of a disease or indications thereof. For a couple, somebody or a young child’s disease (or death in a cases that are few made them look for an HIV test. One participant tested during maternity. A couple of participants reported assessment just because a male that is( partner have been unfaithful and this had resulted in suspicions. Nine individuals stated that that they had been contaminated through their previous male lovers.

Eight individuals stated that they’d been raped. Three of them desired an HIV test straight after the rape event. The three connected their HIV status that is positive the rape event:

“I happened to be young and there clearly was little we knew. I became 12 yrs. Old in 1994 and I also had been raped by my uncle. (we tested) I had to (test) because I was raped and. My moms and dads took us to medical center in addition to medical practitioner stated he’d do all of the tests. (whenever I discovered) I was thinking I had been dying. However I happened to be a youngster therefore I did not know…I think I became numb to everything…” Buli, 28 yrs old, Durban

“If only I happened to be maybe perhaps perhaps not raped, I would personally never be HIV good… we had lots of anger…” Mapule, 29 yrs old, Johannesburg

“How i acquired infected…I have actually three guys. Since I have have always been a lesbian and extremely butch, the majority of my buddies had been men. As soon as we will be drinking, they might make use of me… For me it absolutely was rape for the reason that it’s the way I got my children… ”. Glenda, 37 yrs old, Namibia|They would take advantage of me… For me it was rape because that’s how I got my children… ”. Glenda, 37 yrs old, Namibia when we would be drinking

Lesbians in Southern Africa especially are becoming particular objectives of rape, a type of rape that is designed to `heterosexualise’ them (Mkhize et al. 2010). Although we might not declare that the ladies in this research had been targeted since they were lesbians, it really is alarming that even yet in such a little sample, a lot of females reported having been raped.

Experience with testing

Individuals claimed it was hard and generally speaking unpleasant to find an HIV test, as VCT counsellors are generally ill-informed or interested in learning same-sex preference that is sexual. As you participant reported, her counsellor shifted the main focus far from providing help about HIV to a pre-occupation about her intimate orientation:

“All I’m able to state is — it really is hard for a lesbian to go after HIV test. I am aware this really, first when you’re for counselling this will depend that is providing you with that counselling… You get here and so they let you know about condoms and therefore you must utilize them…you inform them “ I do not do men”. You obtain an individual who is empty ( maybe perhaps maybe not informed) as well as the subject for counselling changes. `Just how can it is done by you? (have sexual intercourse with ladies)’ you simply get agitated if you are allowed to be working with the headlines that you will be HIV good while the discussion has changed since you are gay. ” Lesego, 29 yrs old, Pretoria

The health provider was so insensitive after learning about her sexual orientation that he threw her HIV test results on the floor for another participant

“I experienced this constant frustration which…would not stop. Then I decided to go to the doctor…Two days later on, We returned once again, and HIV tests were run they told me I was HIV positive on me, that’s when. That medical practitioner was not therefore good am I sexually active, and I said `yes’ with me because one of the things he asked me was. Then asked if with a guy or a lady. We said `both’ after which he tossed my outcomes page on the ground and stated that when i possibly could rest both with gents and ladies i really could see the report in the page that i will be HIV good. He dropped it on to the floor. ” Mapule, sexier sex cam 29 yrs old, Johannesburg

The anxieties connected with HIV assessment for lesbians declare that more work has to be performed to sensitise health care professionals about individuals diverse intimate preferences and orientations. This could go a way that is long make sure customers aren’t confronted with the possibility dual stigma of disclosure of these intimate orientation. It is the curious questions about same-sex sexual acts that the participant had to entertain if it is not a negative attitude, as one participant above explained.