Childlessness In Sub-Saharan Africa
Women of childbearing age between 18 to 30 years infected with HIV/AIDS in many regions of sub-Saharan Africa account for over 13 million (61%) of total women living with HIV/AIDS [4]. Several reports confirm the desire of women living with HIV/AIDS to get pregnant after knowing their HIV status [5-8]. This desire for children in sub-Saharan Africa had been attributed to the strong traditional values and pressure from the society. In some cultural societies, childlessness can be more stigmatizing than the HIV [9, 10].
Many HIV prevention efforts have historically focused on reducing HIV acquisition risk among those not infected or those with unknown HIV status. Prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) strategy of WHO includes the
prevention of unwanted pregnancies in HIV-infection as its second pillar [11].
There are many factors that influence decisions by HIV-infected women and men to have children. These factors include knowledge of status, socio-cultural expectations of motherhood, awareness of the risk reduction of MTCT, availability of ARTs, knowledge of partners HIV status, the stigma of HIV status and childlessness [12, 13]. PLWHA and their partners often need to make a variety of reproductive health decisions that pertain to pregnancy, childbearing, and contraception. These choices should be made by themselves, just as other women and couples do [14]. Many sexually active PLWHA might not want to bear children and therefore use a contraceptive, for the same reasons as those who are not HIV-positive.
Many HIV prevention efforts have historically focused on reducing HIV acquisition risk among those not infected or those with unknown HIV status. Prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) strategy of WHO includes the
prevention of unwanted pregnancies in HIV-infection as its second pillar [11].
There are many factors that influence decisions by HIV-infected women and men to have children. These factors include knowledge of status, socio-cultural expectations of motherhood, awareness of the risk reduction of MTCT, availability of ARTs, knowledge of partners HIV status, the stigma of HIV status and childlessness [12, 13]. PLWHA and their partners often need to make a variety of reproductive health decisions that pertain to pregnancy, childbearing, and contraception. These choices should be made by themselves, just as other women and couples do [14]. Many sexually active PLWHA might not want to bear children and therefore use a contraceptive, for the same reasons as those who are not HIV-positive.