Sticking Together

Andrew Mtsetfwa, 36, has stood by his wife’s side for the past eight years, even through an HIV diagnosis. In 2013, his wife, Nonophile Nxumalo, now 35, tested positive for HIV— just one year after they made a home together in Lobamba, the traditional capital of the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Nonophile had been suffering from a constant headache and had visited a hospital a number of times for treatment without being tested for HIV. Finally, one of the health workers at Lobamba Clinic suggested that rule out HIV as the source of her headache.

Lobamba Clinic is one of the high volume health care facilities supported by the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) with funding from PEPFAR through USAID in the Hhohho region of Eswatini.

When she tested HIV-positive, Nonophile wondered what the reaction of her husband would be. She spent a whole week thinking on how to disclose to him.

“I felt it was important for my husband to know my HIV status,” she says, “especially because health workers had recommended a new lifestyle for me—which included eating a healthy diet and the consistent and correct use of condom, which we were previously not using.”

While it was difficult to disclose her status, Nonophile did not want to expose her husband to the risk of HIV if he were HIV-negative.

“When I eventually disclosed to him after one week, he asked me why I didn’t disclose my HIV-positive earlier,” says Nonophile. “I simply replied with honesty and apologized.”

“When my wife told me that she was HIV positive, I decided to also go for an HIV test,” says Andrew. “The results were negative for me.”

Andrew says that he would never think of leaving his wife just because she tested positive for HIV.

Andrew understands that women in Eswatini often face violence from their partners around HIV disclosure, so he forgave his wife for not disclosing to him immediately. He says that he would never think of leaving his wife just because she tested positive for HIV.

The couple began using condoms, which has helped Andrew to remain HIV-negative. Since 2016, Andrew has consistently tracked his HIV status with an HIV self-test kit. He also goes to a health facility at least once a year to get tested there. Meanwhile, Nonophile continues to adhere to treatment.

While stigma and discrimination remain major challenges for discordant couples, Andrew and Nonophile continue to support each other, even when people make negative comments. Andrew says the support they receive from the facility staff is overwhelming and this is what has helped them to remain together despite the challenges.

Lobamba Clinic Nurse Manager Thelma Fakudze, says they were grateful to have such couples as a facility because they are a motivation to other clients.

She said they were able to continue providing high quality services, including counselling to discordant couples, because of the support they receive from PEPFAR through EGPAF which provides them with the necessary resources and staffing.