Women Living with HIV for Many Years Learn Important Lessons from Participation in an Innovative Technology-Based Effective Behavioral Intervention

Background: Healthy Relationships-Video Group (HR-VG) is a six-session small video-conferencing group adaptation of the High Impact Prevention (HIP) program Healthy Relationships, designed to address disclosure and safe sex concerns of people living with HIV. HR-VG was tested in a randomized control trial (RCT) among women living with HIV (WLH). The purpose of this analysis is to a) evaluate lessons learned in regards to disclosure and condom use and b) assess needs for program improvement.

Methods:  Twenty-one WLH from the HR-VG RCT participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews about what they learned and if those lessons affected their thoughts and behaviors related to disclosure and condom use. Participants provided suggestions for improving the intervention and building their disclosure and condom use skills. Interviews were coded and thematically analyzed.

Results: WLH, many of whom were HIV+ for over 5 years (n=15), learned about the importance of condoms for preventing HIV transmission and/or re-infection, and skills for disclosing to family, friends and sex partners.  Women reported having more instances of serostatus disclosure and being able to more openly discuss living with HIV with important people in their lives post intervention. Many women reported advocating for condom use with long-term sex partners. Program improvement suggestions included skill building for coping with rejection after disclosure and discussing condom use in seroconcordant marital relationships.

Conclusion: Most women reported positive changes in their thoughts and behaviors, yet the program could be improved to further prepare WLH with skills to face difficult challenges in their interpersonal relationships.