Sexualité et risque de transmission du VIH chez les couples sérodiscordants suivis à l’hôpital de jour du CHU de Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)

O. Guira, H. Tiéno, S. Sawadogo, J. Y. Drabo

This article is a contribution to improve the management of serodiscordant couples in Ouagadougou. The aim of the study was to explore sexuality and the risk for sexual transmission of HIV among serodiscordant couples followed-up in CHU-YO. The study consisted of a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted over 6 months, from 1 January 2010 to 30 June 2010. A total of 80 heterosexual serodiscordant couples participated. Women were infected with HIV in most cases (75%). The mean age was 37.5 years for HIV partners and 40 years for seronegatives. Men were significantly older than women (p = 0.01). The couples weremarried (83.7%) or cohabiting (16.3%). The average of serodiscordance duration was 4 years. Seventy-four couples (92.5%) engaged in sexual intercourses, mostly vaginal intercourses. Both partners were satisfied only in 9 couples (12.2%). Although most couples (97.5%) knew the use of condoms for HIV prevention, 59.5% did not use it consistently, particularly when women were the seropositive partners (p = 0.01). The lack of privacy (37.5%) and desire of childbearing (26.25%) were the main reasons for not consistently using condoms among couples. Sexual dysfunction was a concern with 97.5% of the couples. The decrease in libido was most common (37.2%). Sexual intercourses with an outside partner were reported in 20 couples (25%), mostly regarding men (p = 0.03). Specific management could improve the quality of sexual life for couples in the light of the difficulties they face and reduce the risk for HIV transmission to negative partners.