"You're in an Image of a Man but Not a Man": A Qualitative Analysis of Intersectional Stigma Among Men with HIV Experiencing Subfertility in Rural Southwestern Uganda.

Abstract

Many men with HIV (MWH) want to have children and may encounter HIV- and infertility-related stigma experiences. Integration of reproductive health and HIV care for men is rare. When available, safer conception care focuses on HIV prevention but lacks fertility support. We conducted qualitative in-depth interviews in Uganda with 30 MWH who desired more children and self-reported no partner pregnancy after 12 or more months of conception attempts. We separately interviewed 10 female partners. Interviews explored stigma experiences and factors impacting engagement in HIV and reproductive care. We used vignettes to elicit responses to stories of couples experiencing challenges of HIV and subfertility. The study team discussed, coded, and analyzed data from individual participant interview transcripts, inductively identifying emergent themes. The following overarching themes emerged: (1) Reproductive goals often take priority over HIV prevention among HIV-affected couples in this context, influenced by multi-level subfertility stigma in society. (2) MWH may pursue behaviors that increase risk of HIV transmission to meet their reproductive goals. (3) Men and women are eager to maintain their primary partnerships, prevent HIV transmission, and meet their reproductive goals with guidance from healthcare providers. Further research is needed on the causes of subfertility and infertility among HIV-affected couples in East Africa to better support their conception goals. Additionally, studies on the intersection of HIV and infertility stigma in high-fertility, high-HIV prevalence areas are essential for designing interventions that meet couples' social, emotional, and medical needs.