Monogamous Research Articles

Predictors of maternal HIV acquisition during pregnancy and lactation in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and narrative synthesis.

To eliminate vertical transmission of HIV, global institutions recommend using a risk-guided approach for HIV prevention services in antenatal and postnatal settings. Identifying predictors of maternal HIV acquisition can inform the development of risk-guided approaches, but individual studies of predictors can have limited power and generalizability. We conducted a systematic review and narrative synthesis to identify common predictors of maternal HIV acquisition in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We searched four databases for full-text articles that estimated associations between at least one predictor and risk of HIV acquisition among pregnant and/or lactating women (PLW) in SSA. We restricted our synthesis to predictors assessed in at least four study populations. For these predictors, we summarized how each predictor was defined and used vote counting and descriptive statistics to characterize overall trends. We identified 26 eligible publications that summarized results from 24 unique studies. Studies were implemented in 12 countries between 1988 and 2021 and enrolled a total of 164,480 PLW at risk of acquiring HIV. Of the 66 predictors evaluated, 16 met our inclusion criteria. Estimated associations tended to be imprecise and variability in how predictors were measured precluded meta-analyses. We observed trends towards a higher risk of maternal HIV acquisition among young women and women who reported early coital debut, multiple partnerships, sexually transmitted infections, being unaware of partner HIV status, or having a partner living with HIV. In most studies, PLW in stable, monogamous relationships experienced a lower risk of acquiring HIV than those who were single, separated, or in a polygynous marriage. HIV risk perception, condom use, and vaginal drying were also commonly associated with HIV acquisition risk. In our systematic review and narrative synthesis, we identified several easily measured characteristics that were associated with HIV acquisition among PLW in multiple study populations across SSA. Such findings can support the development and refinement of risk-guided approaches for HIV prevention in the region.

The Classic or Banned Book: Research on the Dissemination and Impact of The True Story of Ah Q in Thailand

ABSTRACT The True Story of Ah Q is the first complete translation of a Chinese modern literary work to be introduced to Thailand. Its dissemination in Thailand has undergone a transformation, from being considered a progressive literary classic (1952–1958) to being banned for political reasons (1958–1990), and then reclaiming its status as a literary classic (1990-present). This transformation perfectly exemplifies the symbiotic and exclusive relationship between literature and social politics. After more than 70 years of dissemination, The True Story of Ah Q has had a wide and profound impact on Thai society, politics, and literary development. It has enlightened people, inspiring Thai citizens to strive for democracy and freedom. It has also contributed to the development of critical literature in Thailand, nurturing a group of progressive intellectuals who fearlessly criticize social issues and further promote the literary movement of “art for life, art for the people” in Thailand. Furthermore, it has provided new creative techniques for Thai literary creation.

Knowledge and attitude toward intimate partner violence among couples: a baseline findings from cluster randomized controlled trial in rural Ethiopia.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) continues to be a major public health issue in Ethiopia. Studies have shown that knowledge and attitudes play a crucial role in predicting IPV. There is a lack of comprehensive evidence on the extent and factors associated with knowledge and attitudes toward IPV in many developing countries, particularly in rural Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge and attitudes toward IPV and associated factors among couples in Central Ethiopia. A baseline survey involving 432 couples (432 pregnant women and 432 husbands) was conducted in July, 2023, in Hadiya Zone, Central Ethiopia. Data were collected using face-to-face interviewer-administered questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed, and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were reported. The findings revealed that 53.0% of women and 58.4% of men had good knowledge of IPV, while 56.0% of women and 65.6% of men held supportive attitudes toward IPV. Women's knowledge of IPV was significantly associated with age (25-34 years), educational attainment (secondary and higher/college education), antenatal care (ANC) visits, and husbands' alcohol consumption. Men's knowledge of IPV was associated with age at marriage <20, educational attainment (secondary and college/ higher education), monogamous marriage, and alcohol consumption. Predictors of women's attitudes toward IPV included marrying before the age of 20, partner smoking, and poor knowledge of IPV. Moreover, predictors of men's attitudes toward IPV included younger age (15-24), monogamous marriage, alcohol consumption, and poor knowledge of IPV. The study found that more than half of couples had good knowledge of IPV, with a notable percentage also holding supportive attitudes toward it. Enhancing women's education, changing attitudes, ANC visits, and addressing male substance use would help in increasing couples' awareness of IPV and its consequences.

Microbiological Profile of Vaginal Swabs from Infertile Women in the Cities of Ngaoundere and Garoua, Cameroon

Genital infections are a real public health problem in developed countries. They have serious consequences such as ectopic pregnancy (EP), chronic pelvic pain, premature delivery, miscarriage, cervical cancer and even infertility. The objective of this study was to determine the epidemiological and microbiological profile of genital infections among infertile women in the cities of Ngaoundéré and Garoua. This descriptive study was carried out in the Protestant and regional hospitals, as well as the military and regional hospitals serving the cities of Ngaoundéré and Garoua, over a period of five months, from August 2020 to January 2021. Women of reproductive age (15 to 45 years) who met the inclusion criteria, gave their informed consent, and had at least one consultation in the gynecology department of the aforementioned hospitals for infertility made up our population. Thus, the study included 100 women, or 50 women per city. A pre-tested questionnaire was employed to get data from the subjects. Blood samples were taken for chlamydia testing, and cervical-vaginal samples were taken for microbiological analysis (PCV+ATB and mycoplasma testing). The gathered information. SphinxPlus. V5 was the program used to analyze the data that were collected. Ninety-six percent of the 100 women who participated in this study had a vaginal infection. The infertile women&amp;apos;s modal age range was 26–35 years old, with a mean age of 29. Of the women, 54% were housewives, 33% had completed their elementary; education, and 55 were in monogamous marriages. At 65%, secondary infertility was the most prevalent type. 5.15 years was the average length of infertility. Abortions accounted for 41% of the patients&amp;apos; histories, whereas genital infections made up 69%. When the infertile women&amp;apos;s vaginal pH was analyzed, the majority (69%) had a pH &amp;gt; 4.5. Chlamydia trachomatis (28.41%), Ureaplasma urealyticum (22.63%), Candidas albicans (20.58%), Gardnerella vaginalis (14.40%), Mycoplasma hominis (9.46%), Candidas spp (1.65%), Staphylococcus (1.64%), Trichomonas vaginalis (0.82%), and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (0.41%) were among the microbiological analyses of the samples. The etiological identification of genital infections and infertility of infectious or tubal origin, which can be avoided with early intervention, is greatly aided by microbiology.

A qualitative study exploring the clinical phenomenology and impact of hypersexuality in patients with Parkinson’s Disease

Hypersexuality (HS) is a complex yet underreported phenomenon in Parkinson’s disease (PD), profoundly impacting patients’ lives. This study aims to systematically investigate the clinical phenomenology and manifestations of HS using qualitative methodologies. This phenomenological qualitative research study employed semi-structured interviews to examine hypersexuality and its impact among nine English-speaking individuals with PD. Participants were recruited from clinical settings and met specific inclusion criteria, including clinically diagnosed PD, reported hypersexuality post-PD diagnosis, and no cognitive impairment. The study adhered to ethical standards, with written informed consent obtained from all participants. Nine patients with PD (six males, mean age 61.7 ± 13.3 years, and three females, mean age 64.3 ± 5.7 years) participated. The mean age of PD onset was 51.4 ± 12.5 years, while HS onset was 54.1 ± 11.5 years, ranging from 35 to 68 years. Eight of the nine patients were in monogamous relationships. Qualitative analysis revealed ten themes. Clinical manifestations included increased preoccupation with sex, heightened desire, and altered behaviors like risk-taking. Sexual practices varied, with increased urges not necessarily leading to more frequent sex with partners; instead, behaviors like masturbation and promiscuity were common. Emotional formulations ranged from negative to neutral, influenced by whether patients internalized or externalized their hypersexuality. Insight varied, with some patients viewing HS as natural and others seeing it as conflicting with their values. Control over HS was mixed, with efforts to manage behaviors influenced by personal or external factors. The impact on life was predominantly negative, affecting marital closeness, family dynamics, social interactions, work efficiency, and physical health. Patients perceived mostly negative feelings from their partners regarding HS. Stigma was significant, including personal shame, social concealment, and discomfort discussing HS with health professionals. Barriers to seeking help included communication deficits, professional neglect, and stigma. Despite challenges, patients expressed a desire for better guidance and open discussions with health professionals to manage HS. This study uncovered the profound impact of HS on various facets of life such as quality of life, work, and personal relationships, elucidating the emotional distress and societal challenges faced by patients. This preliminary study on hypersexuality in neurological disorders suggests multiple avenues for future research.

The Impact of Communication on Sexual Response: A Summary of Findings

This paper examines how sexual communication impacts both sexual desire and sexual satisfaction. The purpose is to assist clinicians in understanding how these components of human sexuality interrelate so that they may use these findings to inform their clinical practice and improve outcomes for clients. Key dimensions of effective sexual communication are explored, and how those dimensions interact with experiences of sexual desire and sexual satisfaction. Consideration is given to the additional factors of relationship satisfaction and non-sexual communication and how these may mediate the relationship between sexual communication, desire, and satisfaction. The need for further research in this area outside of heterosexual and monogamous relationships is emphasized. Implications for practice highlight the importance of clinicians being able to screen for sexual communication skills in their clients, and upskill accordingly, particularly when issues of sexual desire and satisfaction are present, to enhance clinical outcomes.

From a Community to a ‘Scheduled Tribe’: A Ethnographic Study of the Hatti

The Hatti community of the Trans-Giri region of Sirmaur District with its recent inclusion in Article 342 of the Indian constitution was designated as Scheduled Tribe (ST). The research article is an ethnographic account of the Hatti Tribe of the Trans-Giri region of Sirmaur District, Himachal Pradesh. The study documents the rich culture and tradition of the Hattis in the existing social institutions of caste, family, marriage, kinship, political organisation and religion on account of fieldwork that was conducted in seven villages. The caste system of the Hatti observes strict defined hierarchies, their pre-determined roles and often determines occupation. It is divided into upper, middle and lower caste, with each caste further divided into sub-categories. The institution of kinship amongst the Hattis is unique and the recognition of kin is extended to the father’s father brother family such that kinship is identified and terminology is used for father’s father family. In addition, they recognise both consanguine and affinal kin and there is no distinct kinship term for lineal and collateral kin. The institution of marriage is also unique in its own way with five types of marriages that are known to take place in the area. Some of them are polyandrous marriage, monogamous marriage, remarriage usually/often after divorce, child marriage and marriage by elopement. Interestingly, all marriages have a different cultural process to solemnise the wedding. The political organisation of the Hattis is known by Khumbli, a traditional council that governs the law and order in the villages, is categorised as per village territories and is still considered the first place to resort differences. There is a close relationship between political and religious organisation such that many a times dispute resolution may take place at the deity level. The Hatti reflect a similar culture and tradition to the Jaunsari, a recognised ST in Uttarakhand. The existing Daichara between the two tribes is one of the strong indicators of common ancestral lines. The ethnographic account of the Hatti tribe in the research article is the first of its kind that documents the culture of the Hatti after they were granted the status of the ST before it embarked on the journey of planned development.

Exploring the experiences of stigma among South African gay men who practice consensual nonmonogamy

Consensual nonmonogamy (CNM) refers to an intimate relationship arrangement in which all the parties involved consent to having multiple romantic or sexual partners simultaneously, with the full knowledge and agreement of everyone involved. Although CNM is becoming increasingly more visible in mainstream media and social discourse, it remains a largely non-normative relationship configuration that can elicit stigma directed at those who practice it. The culture of mononormativity, whereby monogamous relationships are held as the ideal or default way for people to structure their intimate connections, may imply that even in the gay community, where a history of openness towards, and experimentation with, alternative relationship configurations exists, affirmative attitudes towards CNM cannot be guaranteed. This qualitative study explored the experiences of stigma among South African gay men who practice CNM, with a particular focus on stigma reported by CNM practitioners from within the gay community. Seven self-identified gay men who practice CNM were recruited to participate. Each participant took part in an unstructured individual interview which was then transcribed and subject to a thematic analysis. Analysis of the data revealed three main themes: creating CNM as homonormative; interpersonal (in)significance of CNM, and stigmatising narratives of CNM. Together, the findings highlight that while gay men who practice CNM may experience stigma from within the gay community, they adopt different approaches at managing this stigma, such as, by constructing CNM as a cultural norm for gay men and by interpreting their participation in CNM as a personally meaningful and fulfilling alternative to monogamy.

Constant companions: wild zebra finch pairs display extreme spatial cohesion.

Many animals maintain long-term monogamous partnerships, but the extent to which partners associate varies substantially and has implications for the scope of cooperation between pair members. Zebra finches (Taeniopygia castanosis) are monogamously paired for life and maintain continuous partnerships, raising questions as to if and how they maintain pair cohesion despite being non-territorial and having only short-range acoustic signals. While zebra finches are the best-studied songbird in captivity, their social and spatial behaviour in the wild is poorly understood. Determining pair cohesion in songbirds to date has almost exclusively been studied at specific locations where pairs would be expected to meet, such as nesting or feeding sites, without quantifying broader movements. Here, we used solar-powered automated tracking to simultaneously monitor the movements of radio-tagged zebra finch pairs during periods of breeding activity. We reveal extremely high spatial cohesion with pairs using nearly identical home ranges and maintaining close spatial proximity across large areas. This characterization of extremely high spatio-temporal coordination of zebra finch pairs provides important insights into the operation and benefits of monogamous relationships in highly mobile taxa, such as birds.

Deconstruction Of The Meaning Of Polygamy In Women's Perspective In The Movie “Atas Nama Surga”

This study deconstructs the meaning of polygamy in the film “Atas Nama Surga” as an act of assertiveness by women `who reject polygamy, signifying the importance of maintaining women's strength and dignity. This study emphasizes women's perspectives, providing awareness of the importance of having the courage to speak one's mind. The research method uses a qualitative literature study with movie analysis from the MAXstream platform as primary data, and journals, books, articles, and online sources as secondary data. The results identify the deconstruction of polygamy as a cause of women's suffering, the potential for violence, and as a form of male selfishness. Factors such as experience, knowledge, and economic power influence the emergence of this deconstruction of meaning. The implications include stereotyping men as violent and selfish, polygamy being perceived as material control, and the difficulty of realizing a monogamous marriage. Despite the limited focus on one movie, this research provides a basis for extending the deconstruction to other works.

Variations in the association between polygyny and experience of intimate partner violence by husband’s alcohol consumption: a cross-sectional study among postpartum women in Thailand

BackgroundIntimate partner violence is more common in polygynous couples than monogamous couples, but the extent that this association is modified by the husband’s alcohol consumption is unknown. The objectives of this study are: (1) To describe the extent to which polygyny is associated with self-reported experience of intimate partner violence among women receiving postpartum care; (2) To describe the extent to which the mentioned association is modified by the husband’s alcohol consumption.MethodsWe conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional study among women age 18 years or older receiving postpartum care at 8 public hospitals in 3 provinces in Northern and Northeastern Thailand using self-administered questionnaires. We analyzed data using descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and stratified analyses.ResultsA total of 1207 women agreed to participate in the study, 8% of whom reported that their husbands practiced polygyny. Women in a polygynous relationship were more likely than women in monogamous relationships to experience intimate partner violence (11.7% vs. 3.6%, Adjusted OR = 2.23; 95% CI = 0.94, 5.26). The prevalence of intimate partner violence was relatively low in both groups among women whose husbands did not drink (2.9% vs. 0%, Adjusted OR = N/A), and very high in both groups among those whose husbands binge-drank (46.2% vs. 20.8%, Adjusted OR = 9.54; 95% CI = 1.10, 82.54). However, the Breslow-Day Test of Homogeneity suggested that there was no statistically significant effect modification (p-value = 0.259).ConclusionStakeholders in intimate partner violence should consider both alcohol use (particularly binge-drinking) and polygyny as risk factors for intimate partner violence. However, caveats regarding study design, misclassification and potential information bias, and lack of generalizability should be considered in the interpretation of the study findings.

Multistage Linkage Internal Exclusion External Electrolyte Tactic Unlocks Extreme Fast Charge Lithium Metal Batteries.

Lithium metal batteries are booming because of their inherent preponderance, but a negative electric field from concentration dipolarization and slow solid-phase transfer at the electrode interface become blocking modules for extreme fast charging. Achieving an anion-rich solvation shell with a high dielectric constant (ε) is a feasible strategy to bootstrap an interface microenvironment for mass-transport reaction, but it is still an uncultivated field. Herein, the superposition, including the donor number values, the high ε, and the spatial potential resistance, are complementarily considered; we propose a low-cost electrolyte with an internal excluding external tactic to answer the above issue. Explanatorily, an optimized solvation shell follows the cascading exclusion relationship of nitrate ion (NO3-) → tetraglyme → ethylene carbonate → dimethyl carbonate. And the culminated bilayer structure establishes ideal conditions for Li+ transfer-reaction kinetics, of which an anion-rich internal shell facilitates solid-phase transport and a high-ε external shell slashes the negative electric field.

Lipidomics in Periodontal Disease Research: A Systematic Review.

Periodontal disease is a highly prevalent oral pathology in the human population, which has a significant local and systemic impact. Currently, multi-omics analyses, including lipidomics, are fundamental to obtaining an in-depth molecular understanding of the individual. Lipidomics is dedicated to the study of lipid species and their interactions in various health contexts. This specific multi-omics analysis is important for understanding the alteration of metabolism and signaling in disease, identifying biochemical markers, and potential therapeutic targets. This study aimed to carry out a systematic review of the existing scientific literature on lipidomics in periodontal disease and thus determine which molecules have already been analyzed and their potential in this specific disease. This study followed the recommendations of the PRISMA 2020 methodology. The inclusion criteria used were articles published in indexed journals between 2000 and 2023, written in English, and establishing an exclusive relationship about lipidomics in human periodontal disease. The articles were searched in three different databases. Considering the criteria defined, only six articles were selected and zed individually in detail. In four of the six studies, differences in the lipidome of individuals with periodontal disease were identified. Furthermore, phosphoethanolamine ceramide was found to have potential as a diagnostic biomarker. Finally, the therapeutic potential of a lipoxin A4 analogue was also identified. These results reinforce the need for future research in this area so that the consequences of this disease on the lipidome can be identified.

Implications of Islamic Mahr (dower) and African Lobolo (bride-price) on Religious and Customary Marriages and the Rights of Muslim Women to Inherit in South Africa

Abstract The monogamous and polygynous customary marriages of indigenous Black Africans have been fully legally recognised in South Africa since 1998. The outcome of a June 2022 apex Constitutional Court judgment will finally result in monogamous and polygynous Muslim marriages (nikāḥ) being fully legally recognized and regulated by the State by 2024. Since this recognition does not include the Islamic law of succession (which will not pass constitutional muster because of half-share to women), when Muslims die intestate, the secular law is expected to apply. The payment of mahr (dower) by the groom to the bride (an important ingredient of a nikāḥ contract) is therefore an important alternative tool for augmenting the inheritance of Muslim women during their lifetime. A novel fatwā issued by local Black African ulama in August 2022 brought to light several challenges faced by African Muslims regarding the relation of nikāḥ marriages to distinctive African traditional marriage practices like the lobolo (“bride price”) paid by the groom to the bride’s father. This paper examines the implications of mahr and lobolo on religious and customary marriages and the rights of local Black African Muslim women to inherit in terms of religion and custom.

A Meta-Analysis of the Association Between the Hold Me Tight Program and Couples’ Relationship Adjustment

In this meta-analysis, the authors tested the overall effect of Hold Me Tight (HMT), a relationship education program for couples based in emotionally focused therapy, on couples’ relationship adjustment. Using a detailed search process, we identified and analyzed eight quantitative, single-group comparison studies. Studies included predominantly cisgender, straight couples (N = 310) in dyadic, monogamous relationships from the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands. The eight studies also included evaluations of online and in-person delivery methods, as well as eight-week groups and one- and two-day workshops. Across the studies, we found that participation in HMT was associated with a small, statistically significant effect (d = 0.377) on couples’ self-reported relationship adjustment, lending support that HMT may be an effective program for couples. Few available studies limited our ability to test additional outcomes or explore moderators of the effect, which are key areas for future research.

Leveraging mitochondrial-programmed cell death dynamics to enhance prognostic accuracy and immunotherapy efficacy in lung adenocarcinoma

BackgroundLung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a highly heterogeneous disease, posing significant challenges to accurate prognosis prediction. Mitochondria play a central role in the energy metabolism of eukaryotic cells and can influence...

ISLAMIC FAMILY LAW ON POLYGAMOUS MARRIAGE IN MALAYSIA: BETWEEN ROSES AND THORNS

Marriage is a way of gaining a peaceful mind and soul, be it monogamous or polygamous marriage. This is the sweetness of marriage as enshrined by Islam. To achieve this wisdom, conditions laid down by the religion and legal requirements must be observed. Otherwise, a marriage may turn into a miserable and thorny life for couples, especially in polygamy. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to disseminate legal knowledge and refine the understanding about polygamous law in Malaysia. The central arguments of this study are two-pronged: (1) to deliberate on the Malaysian legal framework for polygamous marriage and (2) to discuss a crucial legal issue related to polygamy, namely cross-border marriage and its effects. The qualitative method of doctrinal legal research was employed to obtain and analyse primary and secondary data from various sources. It included examining the statutes and decided cases of the Syariah Courts, including reported and unreported cases. The relevant statutes studied were the Islamic Family Law (Federal Territories) Act 1984 and the Enactment of Islamic Family Law (Kedah Darul Aman) 2008. In substantiating arguments, data from e-Syariah Version 3 (ESV3) was used together with existing literature. The findings revealed that refusal or failure to comply with legal requirements pertaining to polygamous marriage may lead to cross-border marriage and its aftermath effects on the legality of the marriage, jurisdiction of the court, and the rights of wives and children in the context of law. Hence, the enforcement of existing laws on polygamy should be emphasised to control any abuse of power by a man to contract a polygamous marriage. More importantly, the laws and enforcement should be strengthened to protect the rights of the wives and children. Future research may focus on issues involving the rights of the wives and children of a polygamous marriage upon the death of the husband or father according to Islamic family law in Malaysia and its implementation.

Advancing cancer driver gene identification through an integrative network and pathway approach

ObjectiveCancer is a complex genetic disease characterized by the accumulation of various mutations, with driver genes playing a crucial role in cancer initiation and progression. Distinguishing driver genes from passenger mutations is essential for understanding cancer biology and discovering therapeutic targets. However, the majority of existing methods ignore the mutational heterogeneity and commonalities among patients, which hinders the identification of driver genes more effectively. MethodsThis study introduces MCSdriver, a novel computational model that integrates network and pathway information to prioritize the identification of cancer driver genes. MCSdriver employs a bidirectional random walk algorithm to quantify the mutual exclusivity and functional relationships between mutated genes within patient cohorts. It calculates similarity scores based on a mutual exclusivity-weighted network and pathway coverage patterns, accounting for patient-specific heterogeneity and molecular profile similarity. ResultsThis approach enhances the accuracy and quality of driver gene identification. MCSdriver demonstrates superior performance in identifying cancer driver genes across four cancer types from The Cancer Genome Atlas, showing a higher F-score, Recall and Precision compared to existing ranking list-based and module-based models. ConclusionThe MCSdriver model not only outperforms other models in identifying known cancer driver genes but also effectively identifies novel driver genes involved in cancer-related biological processes. The model’s consideration of patient-specific heterogeneity and similarity in molecular profiles significantly enhances the accuracy and quality of driver gene identification. Validation through Gene Ontology enrichment analysis and literature mining further underscores its potential application value in personalized cancer therapy, offering a promising tool for advancing our understanding and treatment of cancer.

Ethan Frome's Poly Pessimism

This article explores the theory and practice of non-monogamy at the turn of the twentieth century across a range of texts, including anarchist periodicals, mainstream newspapers, and literary fiction. Moving from utopian to ambivalent representations of multipartner relationships, it turns to a canonical novel to explore a perspective we might call poly pessimism, which not only critiques monogamy but exposes the systems that make non-monogamous alternatives equally unlivable. Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome (1911) offers a blistering naturalist account of the constraints of monogamous marriage as the organizing institution of care work under capitalism, but the monstrous menáge à trois revealed at the novel's end suggests only the multiplication of domestic duty and the expansion of marriage and the private home rather than their abolition. Both in its sexual utopianism and its calls for the practical reconfiguration of home life and the economies of care, critical non-monogamy at the turn of the twentieth century holds an important position in a tradition of radical thought that connects antebellum socialisms to more recent liberation agendas.

Exploring marital safety: three South African wives living with HIV in nonmutual monogamous marriage

For wives who have been sexually monogamous, their being infected with HIV disrupts the cultural assumption of sexual safety in marriage. This phenomenological interview study shows how three married South African women, who were diagnosed with HIV and had reported being monogamous, experienced gendered distress while contemplating the failures of married coupledom in offering safety and familial stability. Constructionist thematic analysis showed three themes to represent changes in the marital unit. The first theme, HIV as Demarcation of Enduring Disruption, pointed to infection as the harbinger of distressing relational dynamics. The second theme, Feeling Controlled, reflected domains in which the wives felt trapped: restricted freedoms and obligatory intimacy. The third theme, Relational Deterioration, showed meanings about infidelity, fights or arguments, and distress about partner disengagement. Highlighted in this analysis is that, for two women, male control and disempowerment after having been infected with HIV added to their experiences of feeling trapped because they felt pressured into regressing into subservient spousal roles. They were required to retreat into household, mothering, and child care duties. The study’s practice implication is that, to address the aftermath of the discovery of HIV infection in heterosexual married couples, wherein sexual monogamy remains the unquestioned norm, health psychology and clinical interventions should incorporate a gendered approach in counselling formulation.