Title: HIV-infected women in ART programmes [letter]

POPLINE Document Number: 281923

Author(s):

Myer L
Morroni C
Nachega J
Copper D

Source citation:

Lancet, 2005 Feb 19;365:655-656.

Abstract:

We are confident that James Shelton and Anne Peterson appreciate the broad reproductive health needs of women in developing countries. However, by focusing their Comment solely on the promotion of contraceptive use for women on antiretroviral therapy (ART), their discussion overlooks the importance of supporting reproductive choice among individuals infected with HIV and greatly oversimplifies women’s reproductive health-care needs in the context of ART programmes. The Comment outlines several compelling reasons for promoting effective contraception among women infected with HIV. Although these concerns are appreciated, this strictly preventive approach to reproduction focuses only on reasons why infected women should not have children, overlooking the important role that fertility has in women’s lives, individual and social, especially in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa. There is growing evidence that despite stigmatisation by health-care providers, childbearing is an important feature of life for many women infected with HIV. (excerpt)

Keywords:

Developing Countries
Critique
Women
HIV Positive Persons
Providers With Clients
Family Planning
Contraceptive Effectiveness
Antiretroviral Therapy
Fertility
Delivery of Health Care
Demographic Factors
Population
HIV Infections
Viral Diseases
Diseases
Health Services
Health
Contraception
HIV
Population Dynamics