REVIEW PAPER
Setting up standardized interventions
for HIV serodiscordant couples: a guide
for healthcare providers and researchers
More details
Hide details
1
Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
2
Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3
Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
4
Department of Management Sciences and Health Economics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
5
Department of Midwifery, School of Medicine, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
Submission date: 2022-05-09
Final revision date: 2022-05-29
Acceptance date: 2022-05-29
Publication date: 2025-03-31
HIV & AIDS Review 2025;24(1):8-19
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
In countries with generalized epidemics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV),
the negative individuals in serodiscordant relationships constitute the largest population at risk. This study was carried out to investigate setting up standardized interventions for HIV serodiscordant couples.
Material and Methods:
This narrative review was conducted based on the scale for assessing narrative review articles (SANRA). English and Persian databases, including Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science as well as Magiran, and SID, were searched. Additionally, relevant guidelines from WHO, UNAIDS, CDC, and UNFPA were reviewed. The following key words were used: “HIV Positive Prevention”, “AIDS Prevention”, “HIV Seronegative Prevention”, and “Serodiscordant Partners”. The search was performed by two reviewers till April 7, 2022. Sixty-seven articles and six guidelines were included in the final review.
Results:
Biomedical and non-biomedical interventions among HIV serodiscordant couples were analyzed and compared. Findings were categorized into two sections: 1) essential health interventions comprising biomedical (micro-meso level), behavioral (micro-meso level), and structural (macro level) interventions; and 2) service delivery models including facility-based and community-based approaches. Key biomedical interventions included HIV screening and safe conception. Behavioral interventions comprised medication adherence, and HIV status disclosure. Crucial structural interventions consisted of human rights laws, stigma reduction, and promotion of gender equality.
Conclusions:
The current literature mainly focused on biomedical services, and insufficient attention was given to other aspects. Combining biomedical approaches with behavioral and structural components, emphasizing couple-based strategies as part of a community-driven approach, will help to create positive outcomes for the couples, families, and community.