Role of HIV in the desire of procreation and motherhood in women living with HIV in Spain: a qualitative approach

Abstract Background Improved antiretroviral treatments and decrease in vertical transmission of HIV have led to a higher number of women living with HIV to consider childbearing. However, stigma and social rejection result in specific challenges that HIV positive women with procreation intentions ha...

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Main Authors: Debora Alvarez-del Arco, Sabela Rodríguez, Mª. Jesús Pérez-Elías, Jose Ramón Blanco, Sandra Cuellar, Jorge del Romero, Ignacio Santos, Vicente Boix, Mar Masiá, Lydia Pascual, Victoria Hernando, CoRIS
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2018-01-01
Series:BMC Women's Health
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12905-017-0483-y
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author Debora Alvarez-del Arco
Sabela Rodríguez
Mª. Jesús Pérez-Elías
Jose Ramón Blanco
Sandra Cuellar
Jorge del Romero
Ignacio Santos
Vicente Boix
Mar Masiá
Lydia Pascual
Victoria Hernando
CoRIS
author_facet Debora Alvarez-del Arco
Sabela Rodríguez
Mª. Jesús Pérez-Elías
Jose Ramón Blanco
Sandra Cuellar
Jorge del Romero
Ignacio Santos
Vicente Boix
Mar Masiá
Lydia Pascual
Victoria Hernando
CoRIS
author_sort Debora Alvarez-del Arco
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Improved antiretroviral treatments and decrease in vertical transmission of HIV have led to a higher number of women living with HIV to consider childbearing. However, stigma and social rejection result in specific challenges that HIV positive women with procreation intentions have to face with. Our objective was to in depth analyse elements shaping their desire for procreation and specifically investigate the impact of HIV. Methods A qualitative study was conducted through open interviews with 20 women living with HIV between 18 and 45 years of age, from the Spanish AIDS Research Network Cohort (CoRIS). Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. A content analysis was performed. Results HIV diagnosis is a turning point in women’s sexual and emotional life that is experienced traumatically. HIV diagnosis is usually associated with the fear of an immediate death and the idea of social isolation. At this moment, women temporarily reject future motherhood or having a sexual life. HIV status is only disclosed to the closed social circle and partner support is essential in HIV diagnosis assimilation process. Health professionals provide information on assisted reproductive technology and on how to minimize risk of partner HIV transmission. Most of barriers for procreation acknowledged by women are not related to HIV. However, women fear vertical transmission and experience other barriers derived from HIV infection. In this context, pregnancy makes women feel themselves as “normal women” despite HIV. Motherhood is considered an element of compensation that helps them to cope with HIV diagnosis. All these elements make health professionals key actors: they provide information and support after HIV diagnosis. Conclusions Barriers and drivers for procreation are similar among HIV positive women and general population. However, stigma and discrimination linked with HIV weigh in HIV positive women decision of motherhood. In this context, it is necessary to provide these women with the necessary counselling, guidance and resources to take decisions about procreation properly informed.
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spelling doaj.art-61603aaae72646b5a906a377a5329c4c2022-12-21T21:58:39ZengBMCBMC Women's Health1472-68742018-01-0118111210.1186/s12905-017-0483-yRole of HIV in the desire of procreation and motherhood in women living with HIV in Spain: a qualitative approachDebora Alvarez-del Arco0Sabela Rodríguez1Mª. Jesús Pérez-Elías2Jose Ramón Blanco3Sandra Cuellar4Jorge del Romero5Ignacio Santos6Vicente Boix7Mar Masiá8Lydia Pascual9Victoria Hernando10CoRISRed de Investigación en Sida, Centro Nacional de Epidemiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIRed de Investigación en Sida, Centro Nacional de Epidemiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIHospital Universitario Ramón y CajalHospital Universitario San Pedro-CIBIRHospital Universitario La FeCentro Sanitario SandovalHospital Universitario La PrincesaHospital Universitario de AlicanteHospital Universitario de ElcheHospital Universitario DonostiaRed de Investigación en Sida, Centro Nacional de Epidemiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIAbstract Background Improved antiretroviral treatments and decrease in vertical transmission of HIV have led to a higher number of women living with HIV to consider childbearing. However, stigma and social rejection result in specific challenges that HIV positive women with procreation intentions have to face with. Our objective was to in depth analyse elements shaping their desire for procreation and specifically investigate the impact of HIV. Methods A qualitative study was conducted through open interviews with 20 women living with HIV between 18 and 45 years of age, from the Spanish AIDS Research Network Cohort (CoRIS). Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. A content analysis was performed. Results HIV diagnosis is a turning point in women’s sexual and emotional life that is experienced traumatically. HIV diagnosis is usually associated with the fear of an immediate death and the idea of social isolation. At this moment, women temporarily reject future motherhood or having a sexual life. HIV status is only disclosed to the closed social circle and partner support is essential in HIV diagnosis assimilation process. Health professionals provide information on assisted reproductive technology and on how to minimize risk of partner HIV transmission. Most of barriers for procreation acknowledged by women are not related to HIV. However, women fear vertical transmission and experience other barriers derived from HIV infection. In this context, pregnancy makes women feel themselves as “normal women” despite HIV. Motherhood is considered an element of compensation that helps them to cope with HIV diagnosis. All these elements make health professionals key actors: they provide information and support after HIV diagnosis. Conclusions Barriers and drivers for procreation are similar among HIV positive women and general population. However, stigma and discrimination linked with HIV weigh in HIV positive women decision of motherhood. In this context, it is necessary to provide these women with the necessary counselling, guidance and resources to take decisions about procreation properly informed.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12905-017-0483-y
spellingShingle Debora Alvarez-del Arco
Sabela Rodríguez
Mª. Jesús Pérez-Elías
Jose Ramón Blanco
Sandra Cuellar
Jorge del Romero
Ignacio Santos
Vicente Boix
Mar Masiá
Lydia Pascual
Victoria Hernando
CoRIS
Role of HIV in the desire of procreation and motherhood in women living with HIV in Spain: a qualitative approach
BMC Women's Health
title Role of HIV in the desire of procreation and motherhood in women living with HIV in Spain: a qualitative approach
title_full Role of HIV in the desire of procreation and motherhood in women living with HIV in Spain: a qualitative approach
title_fullStr Role of HIV in the desire of procreation and motherhood in women living with HIV in Spain: a qualitative approach
title_full_unstemmed Role of HIV in the desire of procreation and motherhood in women living with HIV in Spain: a qualitative approach
title_short Role of HIV in the desire of procreation and motherhood in women living with HIV in Spain: a qualitative approach
title_sort role of hiv in the desire of procreation and motherhood in women living with hiv in spain a qualitative approach
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12905-017-0483-y
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