yakirsegevDiscovering about an individual's HIV status
Most of the individuals (17) self-reported searching for an HIV test as a result of a disease or indications thereof. For some, somebody or a kid's infection (or death in several situations) made them look for an HIV test. One participant tested during maternity. A couple of participants reported evaluation just because a male that is( partner have been unfaithful and also this had generated suspicions. Nine individuals stated that that they had been contaminated through their previous male lovers.
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 happened to be 12 years 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 us to medical center and also the physician said he'd do all of the tests. (whenever I learned) I became thinking we ended up being dying. Then again I happened to be a kid and so I did not know…I think I happened to be numb to everything…” Buli, 28 yrs old, Durban
“If only I became perhaps perhaps not raped, i might never be HIV good… we had plenty of anger…” Mapule, 29 yrs old, Johannesburg
“How i acquired infected…I have actually three males. Since I have have always been a lesbian and extremely butch, the majority of my buddies had been men. Once we will be consuming, they might benefit from me… for me personally it had been rape because that'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 specially are becoming certain targets of rape, a type of rape that aims 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 reported it was hard and usually unpleasant to look for an HIV test, as VCT counsellors are generally ill-informed or interested in learning same-sex intimate choice. 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'm able to state is – it is difficult for a lesbian to go after HIV test. I am aware this myself, first when you're for counselling this will depend that is providing you with that counselling… You get here and additionally they let you know about condoms and therefore you need to utilize them…you let them know “ I do not do men”. You receive a person who is empty ( perhaps maybe maybe not informed) while the subject for counselling changes. `How do it is done by you? (have sexual intercourse with women)' you merely get agitated while you are said to be coping with the https://www.camsloveaholics.com/runetki-review headlines that you will be HIV good therefore the discussion has changed as 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 headache that is constant not stop. Then I visited the doctor…Two days later on, We returned once again, and HIV tests had been run they told me I was HIV positive on me, that's when. That medical practitioner was not therefore excellent am I sexually active, and I said `yes' with me because one of the things he asked me was. Then asked if with a person or a lady. We said `both' and then he tossed my outcomes page on the ground and stated that if i possibly could rest both with gents and ladies i really could browse the report from the page that i will be HIV good. He dropped it on the ground. ” Mapule, 29 yrs old, Johannesburg
The anxieties connected with HIV evaluating for lesbians claim that more work has to be performed to sensitise health care professionals about individuals diverse intimate choices and orientations. This will get a way that is long make sure that consumers aren't up against the possible 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.