AEGiS-14IAC: You can even possibly have a child: Reproduction in the lives of HIV positive women.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

You can even possibly have a child: Reproduction in the lives of HIV positive women.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. MoOrE1067)

Barnes DB
California State University, Hayward, Hayward, United States

BACKGROUND: Given the use of antiretroviral therapy, women with HIV can live longer, and reduce the risk of vertical transmission to their children. This has the potential to increase HIV positive women's reproductive lives. An understanding of what influences women's reproductive decisions is paramount to constructing and implementing effective HIV/AIDS educational programs, medical care, and social services. In this study we investigated how HIV positive women made reproductive choices and what influenced their actions, and who, if anyone, may have assisted them in their reproductive choices.

METHODS: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with HIV positive women (n=80), aged 18 to 49 years, from Oakland, California (n=30), Chicago, Illinois (n=20), and Rochester, New York (n=30). The women were predominately African American, with an annual income of less than $10,000. Data were collected between 1995 and 2000 audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed utilizing grounded theory qualitative methods.

RESULTS: HIV positive women's reproduction is influenced by perceptions of self-identity of mothering as a valued role, and as a way of affirming their commitment to living. This occurs within a context of potential stigmatization of HIV positive women having children. Reproductive decisions are further influenced by their reproductive biographies, and particularly for drug recovering women, the perceived replacement of children "taken away" by Child Protective Agencies, and "doing it [mothering] right this time".Additionally, women's relationship with God, cultural expectations and perceived risk of HIV transmission influenced women's reproductive actions.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest providers, in addition to providing knowledge of HIV transmission and available antiretroviral therapy, be cognizant of women's levels of self-worth, reproductive biographies and cultural beliefs, and what effect these may have on their reproductive choices.

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, Disease Transmission, Vertical, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Reproduction, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Mothers, African Americans, Chicago, Illinois, New York, California, Child, Adult, Human, Female, transmission

020707
MoOrE1067