Learning about an individual’s HIV status
A lot of the individuals (17) self-reported searching for an HIV test as a result of a disease or indications thereof. For a couple, somebody or a kid’s disease (or death mydirtyhobby account in a couple of situations) made them look for an HIV test. One participant tested during maternity. A couple of individuals reported evaluating must be (male) partner have been unfaithful and also this had resulted in suspicions. Nine individuals stated that they’d been contaminated through their previous male partners.
Eight individuals stated that that they had been raped. Three of them desired an HIV test straight after the rape event. The three connected their HIV good status with the rape event:
“I happened to be young and there clearly was very little we knew. I became 12 yrs. Old in 1994 and I also ended up being raped by my uncle. (we tested) I had to (test) because I was raped and. My moms and dads took me personally to hospital therefore the medical practitioner stated he’d do all of the tests. (whenever I discovered) we thought we became dying. Then again I happened to be a young child and so I did not know…I think I happened to be numb to everything…” Buli, 28 yrs old, Durban
“If only I happened to be perhaps maybe perhaps not raped, i might never be HIV positive… we had plenty of anger…” Mapule, 29 yrs old, Johannesburg
“How I got infected…I have actually three males. Since I have have always been a lesbian and extremely butch, almost all of my buddies had been men. Once we will be consuming, they might benefit from me… in my situation 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 particularly have grown to be certain objectives of rape, a type of rape that is designed to `heterosexualise’ them (Mkhize et al. 2010). Because they were lesbians, it is alarming that even in such a small sample, so many women reported having been raped while we may not claim that the women in this study were targeted.
Knowledge about testing
Individuals claimed that it was difficult and generally speaking unpleasant to get an HIV test, as VCT counsellors are generally ill-informed or interested in same-sex intimate preference. As you participant claimed, her counsellor shifted the main focus far from providing help about HIV up to a pre-occupation about her intimate orientation:
“All I am able to say is — it is difficult for the lesbian to buy HIV test. I am aware this really, first when you are for counselling this will depend that is providing you with that counselling… You get here plus they let you know about condoms and therefore you must utilize them…you let them know “ I don’t do men”. You will get an individual who is empty ( perhaps maybe not informed) while the subject for counselling changes. `Just how can it is done by you? (have sexual intercourse with females)’ you merely get agitated whenever you are said to be working with the headlines because you may be homosexual. That you’re HIV good while the discussion has now changed” Lesego, 29 yrs old, Pretoria
For the next participant, the health provider ended up being therefore insensitive after researching her sexual orientation which he tossed her HIV test results on to the floor:
“I experienced this constant hassle which…would not stop. When I decided to go to the doctor…Two months later, We went back once again, and HIV tests had been run they told me I was HIV positive on me, that’s when. That physician was not therefore good beside me because one of many things he asked me personally ended up being am we intimately active, and I also said `yes’. Then he asked if with a guy or a lady. We said `both’ after which he tossed my outcomes page on to the floor and stated that if i possibly could rest both with gents and ladies i really could see the report regarding the page that i will be HIV good. It was dropped by him on the ground. ” Mapule, 29 yrs old, Johannesburg
The anxieties related to HIV assessment for lesbians claim that more work has to be achieved to sensitise medical researchers about individuals diverse intimate preferences and orientations. This could go a way that is long make sure consumers aren’t up against 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.