The Unaddressed Needs of Alcohol-Using Couples on Antiretroviral Therapy in Malawi: Formative Research on Multilevel Interventions

Alcohol use among HIV-positive individuals in sub-Saharan Africa directly impacts adherence to antiretroviral therapy and HIV outcomes. Few studies have examined approaches to reduce alcohol use among HIV-affected couples, despite evidence that alcohol use is a couple-level concern. We conducted a qualitative study with 23 alcohol-using couples to identify multilevel barriers and facilitators of alcohol use, and potential intervention options with couples. Data were analyzed at individual and dyadic levels using framework analysis. All couples were married and had at least one partner on ART. Men were the primary alcohol drinkers with few women reporting alcohol use. Most women tried to persuade their partners to reduce their alcohol intake and when unsuccessful, enlisted help from relatives and HIV care providers. Effective couple negotiation around men’s alcohol use was constrained by negative peer influence and men’s desire for friendship to cope with life stressors. Women were primarily concerned about the expense of alcohol and described how alcohol prevented the family from meeting basic needs and investing in the future. Alcohol use was described as a major barrier to ART adherence, but was also viewed as the cause of couple and family violence, extramarital partnerships, food insecurity, and poverty. We conclude that multilevel interventions based on couples’ needs and preferences are urgently needed. Couple-based intervention approaches could include provider-led alcohol counseling with couples, alcohol reduction support groups for couples, couples’ counseling to bolster couple communication and problem-solving around alcohol, and economic-strengthening interventions for couples.