High rates of relationship dissolution among heterosexual HIV-serodiscordant couples in Kenya

HIV-1 serodiscordant couples may experience increased risks of relationship dissolution; however, longitudinal stability of these relationships is poorly understood. We determined rates and correlates of separation among 469 serodiscordant couples in Nairobi and found that 113 (24 %) separated during 2 years of follow-up. Couples with a female HIV-1 infected partner (FM-) and no income were more likely to separate than MFcouples without income (HR = 5.0; 95 % CI 1.1-25.0), and FM- and MF- couples with income (HR = 2.4; 95 % CI 1.3-4.5 and HR = 2.3; 95 % CI 1.2-4.8, respectively). High separation rates may be important for couple support services and for conducting discordant couple studies. © Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013.