E002399. doi:ten.1136bmjopen-2012002399 Prepublication history for this paper are available online. To view these files please check out the journal on-line (http:dx.doi.org10.1136 bmjopen-2012-002399). Received 23 November 2012 Revised 18 February 2013 Accepted 25 MarchABSTRACT Objectives: To characterise the experiences ofheterosexual males and females living with HIV postdiagnosis and explain these experiences in relation to their identity and sexuality. Design and style: Qualitative study using in-depth interviews and a theoretically informed biographic disruption theory. Setting: Interviews had been performed in two Nairobi slums (Kenya). Participants: 41 HIV-infected heterosexual guys and women aged 18 years or older. Benefits: Individuals living with HIV have divergent experiences surrounding HIV diagnosis. Postdiagnosis, you can find numerous phases of identity transition, such as status (non-)disclosure, and attempts at identity repair and normalcy. For a number of people, this course of action requires a transition to a new self-identity, incorporating both HIV and antiretroviral treatment (ART) into their lives. For others, it entails a partial transition, with some aspects of their prediagnosis identity persisting, and for other folks it involves a rejection of HIV identity. These people who have been able to incorporate PubMed ID:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21331907 HIVAIDS in their identity, with out it being disruptive to their biography, were pursuing safer sexual and reproductive lives. By contrast, these people using a a lot more continuous biography continued to reflect their prediagnosis identity and sexual behaviour. Conclusions: Folks living with HIVAIDS (PLWHA) had to rework their sense of identity following diagnosis in the context of living inside a slum setting. Men and women living with HIV in slums are poorly supported by well being systems and solutions as they attempt to cope with a diagnosis of HIV. Given the availability of ART, overall health services and specialists really need to support the rights of PLWHA to become sexually active if they wish to and reach their fertility goals, even though minimising HIV transmission risk.Post SUMMARY Article focusSlum populations are under-researched, and really small empirical investigation examines the experiences of individuals living with HIV postdiagnosis. Effect of HIV postdiagnosis identity on sexual behaviour.Essential messagesMen and girls living with HIV in slums are poorly served by health services postdiagnosis. Well being service provision and help will not incorporate the rising requirements of people living with HIV and AIDS to navigate their sexual and reproductive lives. The sexual behaviours of PLWHA are influenced by their HIV postdiagnosis identity transformation.Strengths and limitations of this studyThe 1st in-depth study of your experiences of individuals living in slums following an HIV diagnosis in relation to their identity and sexuality. We didn’t include the perspectives of relevant stakeholders which include partners or policymakers.This final report is obtainable for use below the terms on the Inventive Methionine enkephalin price Commons Attribution Non-Commercial two.0 Licence; see http:bmjopen.bmj.comLondon School of Economics–Social Policy, London, UK 2 Population Council, Reproductive Well being System, Nairobi, Kenya Correspondence to Dr Eliud Wekesa; ewekesapopcouncil.orgINTRODUCTION Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is the region most affected by the HIVAIDS pandemic, accounting for more than 68 on the total international burden.1 A total of 1.six million Kenyans are currently living with HIV and Kenyan adultHIV prevalence is estimated to be.