Safer Sex and Reproductive Choice: Findings from “Positive Women: Voices and Choices” in Zimbabwe

Sexual relations and childbearing decisions of HIV-discordant couples: an exploratory study in South Africa and Tanzania

“…2,3,44,45 Sexual and reproductive health needs are frequently not addressed by health care providers, and it is difficult for HIV-positive women to get appropriate information and support from family planning clinics or maternity services. 20,22,36,46,47 Health worker attitudes and behaviour play a major role in the sexual health and childbearing decisions of people with HIV. 36,[48][49][50] Policy debates have also largely ignored the sexuality of people living with HIV, with programmes limited to helping pregnant women avoid transmitting the virus to their children.…”

Ensuring Sexual and Reproductive Health for People Living with HIV: An Overview of Key Human Rights, Policy and Health Systems Issues

“…For example, women with HIV may be under different pressures and expectations than other women as to whether or not they should have children, and positive men and women often report pressure and expectations that they should not be sexually active, even when asymptomatic. 6 These pressures and expectations may be imposed by family, community or health services and even through legal and policy directives. For example, research in Brazil indicates that many women living with HIV do not voice their desire to have children to their health service provider for fear of a negative reaction.…”

“…6,12 HIV testing must be voluntary and include counselling Efforts must be made to ensure that positive people feel supported in learning their HIV status. This requires that HIV testing be voluntary, include appropriate pre-and post-test counselling, and be ethical, i.e.…”

How the global call for elimination of pediatric HIV can support HIV-positive women to achieve their pregnancy intentions

“…29,39 When it comes to wanting to prevent pregnancy, a variety of factors influence women's desire; many of these factors are the same regardless of HIV status. Specifically among HIV-positive women, the desire to prevent pregnancy may stem from concerns for their own health and the health of a potential child 42 ; wanting to avoid stigma and discrimination they may face for having a child [43][44][45] ; and wanting to avoid orphaning a potential child. 46 There are some data to suggest that HIV-positive men may also want to avoid becoming parents due to concerns about health 47 and stigma.…”