E002399. doi:10.1136bmjopen-2012002399 Prepublication history for this paper are out there online. To view these files please take a look at the journal on the internet (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 ladies living with HIV postdiagnosis and explain these experiences in relation to their identity and sexuality. Style: Qualitative study using in-depth interviews in addition to a theoretically informed biographic disruption theory. Setting: Interviews were carried out in two Nairobi slums (Kenya). Participants: 41 HIV-infected heterosexual men and girls aged 18 years or older. Outcomes: Individuals living with HIV have divergent experiences surrounding HIV diagnosis. Postdiagnosis, you’ll find numerous phases of identity transition, which includes status (non-)disclosure, and attempts at identity repair and normalcy. For some individuals, this course of action requires a transition to a new self-identity, incorporating both HIV and antiretroviral therapy (ART) into their lives. For other people, it entails a partial transition, with some elements of their prediagnosis identity persisting, and for other individuals it entails a rejection of HIV identity. Those people who have been in a position to incorporate PubMed ID:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21331907 HIVAIDS in their identity, without the need of it being disruptive to their biography, had been pursuing safer sexual and reproductive lives. By contrast, those folks with a more continuous biography continued to reflect their prediagnosis identity and sexual behaviour. Conclusions: Men and women living with HIVAIDS (PLWHA) had to rework their sense of identity following diagnosis within the context of living inside a slum setting. Men and females living with HIV in slums are poorly supported by wellness systems and solutions as they attempt to cope using a diagnosis of HIV. Provided the availability of ART, overall health services and professionals must help the rights of PLWHA to become sexually active if they want to and attain their fertility goals, when minimising HIV transmission risk.Write-up SUMMARY Short article focusSlum populations are under-researched, and extremely little empirical investigation examines the experiences of folks living with HIV postdiagnosis. Influence of HIV postdiagnosis identity on sexual behaviour.Crucial messagesMen and females living with HIV in slums are poorly served by wellness services postdiagnosis. Well being service provision and assistance does not incorporate the growing requirements of men and women 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 with the experiences of men and women living in slums following an HIV diagnosis in relation to their identity and sexuality. We did not consist of the perspectives of relevant stakeholders such as partners or policymakers.This final short article is offered for use below the terms of your Inventive Commons Attribution Non-Commercial two.0 Licence; see http:bmjopen.bmj.comLondon College of Economics–Social KJ Pyr 9 chemical information Policy, London, UK 2 Population Council, Reproductive Well being System, Nairobi, Kenya Correspondence to Dr Eliud Wekesa; ewekesapopcouncil.orgINTRODUCTION Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) may be the region most impacted by the HIVAIDS pandemic, accounting for over 68 of the total worldwide burden.1 A total of 1.6 million Kenyans are at present living with HIV and Kenyan adultHIV prevalence is estimated to be.