Author(s)

Sègnon E. Elvire Djossou^1,2*, Dieudonné Soubeiga¹, Coovi Nonwanou Ignace Tokpanoude^1,2, Kadiatou Zougrana¹, Hermine Tognon¹, Mamatou Meba Bio³, Sayo Adamou Djibo⁴, Rhonel Ahanhanzo Glele⁵, Ismaël Eric Landry Paraiso⁶, Omer Adjibode⁷, Enangnon Hilaire Akpovi⁸, Fadyl Boris Sefou¹, Judicael Govaerts Karl Adadja⁹, Sènan Lorens Zinsalo¹, Yobi Alexis Sawadogo¹⁰

¹Institute for Interdisciplinary Training and Research in Health and Education Sciences (IFRISSE), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
²Faculty of Health Sciences (FSS), University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin.
³Faculty of Letters, Arts and Human Sciences (FLASH), University of Abomey-Calavi, Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
⁴Faculty of Health Sciences, Abdou Moumouni University of Niamey, Niamey, Niger.
⁵Health Program for the Fight against AIDS, Center for Information, Foresight, Listening and Counseling on STIs/HIV/AIDS (CIPEC), Parakou, Benin.
⁶Departmental Directorate of Health of Atacora, Natitingou, Benin.
⁷Forensic Medicine Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences (FSS), University of Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, Benin.
⁸Center for Research in Human Reproduction and Demography (CeRRHuD), Cotonou, Benin.
⁹Regional Institute of Public Health (IRSP), University of Abomey-Calavi, Ouidah, Benin.
¹⁰Training and Research Unit in Health Sciences, Joseph KI-ZERBO University, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Introduction: HIV serodiscordance remains largely unknown to both the general public and healthcare professionals not directly involved in HIV response efforts. Three out of four infected couples are affected by this issue. This study aims to explore the adaptation process of serodiscordant couples, identifying the key stages of their journey and highlighting the central role of the seronegative partner in this dynamic. The objective of this study is to describe the adaptation process of these couples to their discordant status by outlining the stages of this adaptation and the role of the partner in this process. Study Setting and Methods: This study was conducted at HIV care sites in the city of Parakou, located in northeastern Benin. It was an exploratory qualitative study involving three target groups: people living with HIV (PLHIV) engaged in serodiscordant relationships, their seronegative partners, and resource persons involved in the care and support of serodiscordant couples. Through semi-structured face-to-face interviews, data were collected from fifteen participants (10 PLHIV and their partners, and 5 resource persons) in order to construct an adaptation model. This model was then tested on other participants (PLHIV and their partners) for refinement until saturation was reached, which occurred after 25 interviews. Results: The key stages of adaptation for couples in HIV serodiscordant relationships include: emotional reactions to the discovery of the couple’s discordant status, questioning, redefining the terms of the union, and reaching a bilateral agreement. These stages are preceded by the sharing of respective serological statuses, which marks the entry into serodiscordance. As for the pivotal role of the seronegative partner in the adaptation process, it is crucial. The seronegative partner alone bears the responsibility for initiating and guiding the adaptation process. Conclusion: A successful adaptation of couples to their discordant status ensures the stability of the relationship, better adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) by the infected partner, and improvement in their health and well-being. This process needs to be better supported, with the systematic involvement of a psychologist, particularly emphasizing the seronegative partner, who bears almost sole responsibility for the adaptation process.

Adaptation, Serodiscordance, HIV, Benin, Psychological Support, Adaptation Model, Marital Stability

Djossou, S. , Soubeiga, D. , Tokpanoude, C. , Zougrana, K. , Tognon, H. , Bio, M. , Djibo, S. , Glele, R. , Paraiso, I. , Adjibode, O. , Akpovi, E. , Sefou, F. , Adadja, J. , Zinsalo, S. and Sawadogo, Y. (2025) Phases of Adjustment of Couples Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Serodiscordance and the Role of Seronegative Partner: A Qualitative Study in Parakou, Benin. World Journal of AIDS, 15, 19-46. doi: 10.4236/wja.2025.152002.