- Topic: STIs/ HIV/ Infectious Disease
- Type: Staff Publication
- Author: Harries, J., Cooper, D., Myer, L., Bracken, H., Zweigenthal, V., Orne, P.
- Published: October 2007
Policy maker and health care provider perspectives on reproductive decision-making amongst HIV-infected individuals in South Africa.
Worldwide there is growing attention paid to the reproductive decisions faced by HIV-infected individuals. Studies in both developed and developing countries have suggested that many HIV-infected women continue to desire children despite knowledge of their HIV status. Despite the increasing attention to the health care needs of HIV-infected individuals in low resource settings, little attention has been given to reproductive choice and intentions. Health care providers play a crucial role in determining access to reproductive health services and their influence is likely to be heightened in delivering services to HIV-infected women. We examined the attitudes of health care policy makers and providers towards reproductive decision-making among HIV-infected individuals. The findings highlight the diversity of perspectives among policy makers and providers regarding the reproductive decisions taken by HIV-infected people. There is a clear need for more explicit policies recognizing the reproductive rights and choices of HIV-infected individuals.
Access the full text at the following link BMC Public Health 2007, 7:282 (05 Oct 2007).