EPIDEMIOLOGY AND HEALTH DATA INSIGHTS
Review Article
Sep 17, 2025 472 184

HIV Care and Treatment Among Serodiscordant Couples: A Systematic Review of Relationship Dynamics and Health Outcomes

Evelyn Foster-Pagaebi 1 * ,
Tamunomiebi Douglas 2,
Olugbemi Oluseyi Motilewa 3,
Oluwafunmilayo Ogundeko-Olugbami 4,
Oluwafunmbi Ajayi 5,
Ogechi Njoku 6,
Elishama Tamunomiebi Douglas 7,
Oluebube Ngozi Eziokwu 8
1 Department of Public-Private Partnership, JSI Research and Training Institute, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria2 Department of Pharmacy And Supply Chain Management, Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS), Delta State, Nigeria3 Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria4 Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom 5 Department of Dentistry, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria6 Department of Laboratory Services, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Benue State, Nigeria7 Department of Program Implementation, Healthy People International Foundation, Rivers State, Nigeria8 College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria* Corresponding Author
Epidemiology and Health Data Insights, 1(4), 2025, ehdi013, https://doi.org/10.63946/ehdi/17083
Publication date: Sep 17, 2025
Full Text (PDF)

ABSTRACT

Background: Serodiscordant couples are relationships where one sexual partner is HIV-positive and the other is HIV-negative. Such couples experience complex relational and psychosocial challenges that significantly influence treatment adherence and health outcomes. Despite biomedical advances such as Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), the relational dynamics within these relationships remain underexplored in HIV intervention strategies.
Objective: To systematically review how HIV status disclosure and partner reactions impact treatment outcomes among serodiscordant couples.
Method: A systematic review of qualitative and mixed-methods studies published between 2010 and 2025 was conducted using databases including PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Studies were appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) Qualitative Checklist, and thematic synthesis was employed to analyze findings.
Findings and Discussion: Ninety four studies met the inclusion criteria. Key themes included HIV status disclosure, communication, partner reactions, partner support and impact on treatment adherence. Challenges such as stigma and fear of rejection hindered disclosure and engagement in care in some relationships. However, support from partners was key in boosting confidence and continuity in care. 
Conclusion: HIV status disclosure is a crucial public health issue, as it has significant impact on the trajectory of serodiscordant relationships, treatment outcomes and psychosocial wellbeing of PLHIV. Building culturally sensitive, couple-centered interventions that emphasizes increased HIV awareness and knowledge is essential for improving health outcomes among serodiscordant couples.

KEYWORDS

People Living with HIV (PLHIV) Serodiscordant couples HIV Status Disclosure Partner support Treatment adherence and outcomes Antiretroviral therapy (ART) Low and Middle Income Countries

CITATION (Vancouver)

Foster-Pagaebi E, Douglas T, Motilewa OO, Ogundeko-Olugbami O, Ajayi O, Njoku O, et al. HIV Care and Treatment Among Serodiscordant Couples: A Systematic Review of Relationship Dynamics and Health Outcomes. Epidemiology and Health Data Insights. 2025;1(4):ehdi013. https://doi.org/10.63946/ehdi/17083
APA
Foster-Pagaebi, E., Douglas, T., Motilewa, O. O., Ogundeko-Olugbami, O., Ajayi, O., Njoku, O., Douglas, E. T., & Eziokwu, O. N. (2025). HIV Care and Treatment Among Serodiscordant Couples: A Systematic Review of Relationship Dynamics and Health Outcomes. Epidemiology and Health Data Insights, 1(4), ehdi013. https://doi.org/10.63946/ehdi/17083
Harvard
Foster-Pagaebi, E., Douglas, T., Motilewa, O. O., Ogundeko-Olugbami, O., Ajayi, O., Njoku, O., . . . Eziokwu, O. N. (2025). HIV Care and Treatment Among Serodiscordant Couples: A Systematic Review of Relationship Dynamics and Health Outcomes. Epidemiology and Health Data Insights, 1(4), ehdi013. https://doi.org/10.63946/ehdi/17083
AMA
Foster-Pagaebi E, Douglas T, Motilewa OO, et al. HIV Care and Treatment Among Serodiscordant Couples: A Systematic Review of Relationship Dynamics and Health Outcomes. Epidemiology and Health Data Insights. 2025;1(4), ehdi013. https://doi.org/10.63946/ehdi/17083
Chicago
Foster-Pagaebi, Evelyn, Tamunomiebi Douglas, Olugbemi Oluseyi Motilewa, Oluwafunmilayo Ogundeko-Olugbami, Oluwafunmbi Ajayi, Ogechi Njoku, Elishama Tamunomiebi Douglas, and Oluebube Ngozi Eziokwu. "HIV Care and Treatment Among Serodiscordant Couples: A Systematic Review of Relationship Dynamics and Health Outcomes". Epidemiology and Health Data Insights 2025 1 no. 4 (2025): ehdi013. https://doi.org/10.63946/ehdi/17083
MLA
Foster-Pagaebi, Evelyn et al. "HIV Care and Treatment Among Serodiscordant Couples: A Systematic Review of Relationship Dynamics and Health Outcomes". Epidemiology and Health Data Insights, vol. 1, no. 4, 2025, ehdi013. https://doi.org/10.63946/ehdi/17083

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