Table 2. Male Partner Case Studies.

Male, age 23, referring female partner age 21

Risk profile. Reports 2 lifetime sexual partners, reports that he always uses condoms in the past 3 months, he doesn't know if his partner is faithful, and ranked his overall risk taking as 5 out of 10. Relationship context. He considers the woman who referred him to the study to be his current main partner, but he's had sex outside the relationship twice. They've been dating for two months and they' don't see each other on a regular basis. He's happy with relationship, has no apparent trust issues, as evidenced by the fact that she doesn't question his drinking or other behaviors. They discuss sex just prior to it happening, mainly about level of interest and condoms and do not discuss HIV. He's never had a partner express interest in his HIV status or encourage him to test. His partner does insist on using condoms, but for contraceptive purposes. He reported letting her make decisions to avoid ‘spoiling the mood’ around sex. Comparison to female partner. Relationship was relatively new. At her first interview in Oct, there wasn't yet trust. They hadn't had sex yet so hadn't discussed sex, HIV, or contraception. She insists HIV testing and knowing your partner's status is important, but she hasn't brought it up with him. At her follow-up interview 3 months later, she says they broke up shortly after her first interview so she never brought up the study or HIV testing. She found him with another women when she came to talk to him about it.

Male, age 27, referring female partner age 23

Risk profile. Reports 30 lifetime sexual partners, reports always uses condoms in the past 3 months, and ranked his overall risk taking as 10 out of 10. Relationship context. According to him, the woman who told him about the study is a partner he regularly would have sex with, but would not categorize her as his main partner because he has other partners he has sex with. They met over a year ago and it seems that she does not know he has other partners. His partner insists on using condoms, but for contraceptive purposes. He finds that talking about sex is not an issue, they both have a chance to start these conversations and they respect the other person's opinion. He reports they also talk about HIV testing without issues and speak openly and make the decision to go get tested but never mentioned if they share their HIV statuses with each other. Comparison to female partner. She views him as her main partner. Reports using condoms ‘most of the time.’ They talk about sex, but he's hesitant. She won't sleep with a partner unless she knows his HIV status. Her knowledge of his last test is from a year ago. She was nervous to bring up testing after her initial IDI and says he responded angrily and didn't test. She's still not concerned since they use condoms.