Marriage a Barrier to ARV treatment for Swazi Women

This study has helped us understand why women are either dropping out or initiating ART late,” said Okello. The 2013 Global Report of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) shows that nine out of ten Swazis remain on ART after a year. But Okello said one dropout is one too many. “We need to understand the barriers they encounter at social level so that we help them stay on treatment,” said Okello. Dlamini recommends empowering married women with skills to negotiate access to ART, and researching how some women successfully navigate this tricky situation. One such woman is Msibi, now 24, who is on treatment together with her husband. “When my firstborn fell seriously ill, I realised I had to disclose,” she said. Counselling from health workers helped her find the voice to break her silence. Msibi approached her mother-in-law, who already suspected that the child was HIV positive. An HIV test confirmed her fears. “But that made it easy for me to disclose to my husband, who found it difficult to accept at first, but eventually he did,” she said. Later he trained as an HIV/AIDS counsellor at the local clinic, and the couple now helps each other follow ART carefully. Divided Opinions on Feasibility of Kenya’s Option B+ Roll Out Breast Is Best, But Not in Swaziland SWAZILAND: Focus on Infants in HIV Prevention
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: Global & Universal Authors: Tags: Africa Countdown to ZERO Development & Aid Featured Gender Headlines Health Human Rights Population Poverty & MDGs Regional Categories Women's Health ARVs Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Option B Swaziland Source Type: news