Factors Affecting Reproductive Decisions of African American Women Living with HIV

Purpose: This exploratory study used focus groups to examine attitudes and beliefs of HIV-infected African American women of child-bearing age about pregnancy and antiretroviral therapy. Methods: A convenience sample of thirty-three African American women of child-bearing age participated in five fo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Women & health 2002-01, Vol.36 (1), p.81-96
Main Authors: Richter, Donna L., Sowell, Richard L., Pluto, Delores M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Adolescent
Adult
African Americans
African Americans - psychology
AIDS
Anti-HIV Agents - therapeutic use
Antiretroviral Therapy
Atlanta, Georgia
Attitude to Health - ethnology
Attitudes
Black culture
Black people
Black women
Culture
Decision Making
Family planning
Family Planning Services
Female
Females
Focus Groups
Health
Health Behavior
Health care
HIV
HIV Infections - drug therapy
HIV Infections - ethnology
HIV Infections - psychology
HIV positive persons
HIV/AIDS
Human immunodeficiency virus
Humans
Infant
Infant Care
Infant, Newborn
Maternal and infant welfare
Medications
Middle Aged
Minority & ethnic groups
Mothers
Motivation
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - drug therapy
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - ethnology
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - psychology
Prenatal care
Prevention
Preventive medicine
Reproduction
Social conditions
South Carolina
United States
Women
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Summary:Purpose: This exploratory study used focus groups to examine attitudes and beliefs of HIV-infected African American women of child-bearing age about pregnancy and antiretroviral therapy. Methods: A convenience sample of thirty-three African American women of child-bearing age participated in five focus groups. Attitudes and beliefs about pregnancy decisions and the use of antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy were examined. Results: Many of the women in this study living with HIV remained committed to having children and expressed confusion about their chances of transmitting the virus to their children. Conclusions: Health care providers must be aware of these concerns and convey clear and accurate information through the most readily accepted channels. Participants suggested that messages about these issues be conveyed by other women living with HIV who have faced these same decisions.
ISSN:0363-0242
1541-0331
DOI:10.1300/J013v36n01_06