Life Science Journal 2014;11(11) http://www.lifesciencesite.com 961 Experiences of the HIV Serostatus Disclosure in Serodiscordant Couples in Three Urban Areas in Botswana William Mooketsi Baratedi 1 , Gloria Thupayagale-Tshweneagae 1 , Makombo Ganga-Limando 1 1. Department of Health Studies, University of South Africa, PO Box 329, Pretoria 0003, South Africa gangam@unisa.ac.za Abstract: This paper describes the experiences of the HIV Serostatus disclosure in discordant couples in three urban areas in Botswana. A qualitative, exploratory research approach, using individual interviews was used to explore the experiences of 46 participants aged between 18 and 53 years. These are located in HIV counselling and Testing Centres in three urban areas in Botswana. Individual interviews were conducted to explore the means by which the participants were informed about their partners’ HIV-positive status, and their experiences following the disclosure. Interviews were audio-taped and transcribed. The transcripts and field notes were then analysed using thematic content analysis. The experiences of the HIV discordant couples were found to be varied ranging from acceptance, trust, shock, stress, disappointment, embarrassment and termination of the relationship. Three types of discordance emerged as disruptive sero-discordance, negotiated sero-discordance and concealed sero-discordance, all of which formed the basis of the way the participants experienced discordance. The findings of this study shed light on the participants’ experiences and should serve as the basis for further studies on discordance in other developing countries. Future research is needed to demystify this misunderstood concept and it needs to take place on a larger scale probably using quantitative survey as most research studies conducted have been qualitative. [Baratedi WM, Thupayagale-Tshweneagae G, Ganga-Limando M. Experiences of the HIV Serostatus Disclosure in Serodiscordant Couples in Three Urban Areas in Botswana. Life Sci J 2014;11(11):961-965]. (ISSN:1097- 8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com . 170 Keywords: Botswana; Disclosure; Experiences; HIV and AIDS; Sero-discordance, Urban area 1. Introduction HIV sero-discordance is a situation where one partner in a relationship is HIV-positive and the other partner remains HIV-negative (Eyawo, de Walque, Ford, Gakii, Lester & Mills, 2010). This condition remains a puzzle and is confusing to many scholars and scientists alike as to date there has not been any scientific explanation as to why one partner in a sexual relationship can be HIV positive, while the other remains negative without the use of protective measures such as condom (Chemaitelly, Awad, Abu-Raddad, 2013). Authors (Dunkle, Stephenson, Karita, Chomba, Kayitenkre, Vwalika, Greenberg & Allen, 2008) suggest that there are some people who seem to have an opposition to HIV infection even though exposed to it. In Africa, HIV discordance within couples ranges from 3% to 20% in general population and 30% to 51% among couples in which one partner seeks HIV care services (Were, Mernin, Wamai et al., 2006). A study conducted in five sub-Saharan African countries showed that two-thirds of the HIV infected couples were sero-discordant, and the majority of those who were HIV positive among the couples were women (de Walque, 2007). Some researchers argued that the gender differences may be attributed to the biological makeup of women that makes it easier for them to be infected (Lingappa, Lambdin, Bukusi, Ngure, Kavuma et al., 2008). Despite the advantages of the knowledge of partner’s HIV status, authors (Gebrekristos, Lurie, Mathetwa et al., 2009) have indicated that partners at times fear to disclose their HIV status because they are not yet ready to divulge the information and are uncertain of spousal support and understanding. HIV serodiscordant couples often face multiple challenges including stress of possible sexual transmission, financial pressures and coping with HIV related stigma, all of which may have a negative influence on their relationship (Yonah, Frederick & Leyna, 202014). Within the context of HIV and AIDS, disclosure allows people to be open to social and health care initiatives that are aimed at improving their psychological and physical health such as antiretroviral medications and group support. It also allows individuals to gain more knowledge into their diagnoses and to openly discuss issues related to being seropositive (Solomon & Solomon, 2011). People Living with HIV and AIDS who disclose their status are more likely to receive substantial support from their families and health care professionals (Crankshaw, Mindry, Munthrees et al., 2014). In this study, the researchers explored the experiences of disclosing HIV status in serodiscordant couples in three urban areas in Botswana. 2. Material and Methods The study used a descriptive qualitative design with in-depth interviews to explore the