Cultural Expectations and Reproductive Desires: Experiences of South African Women Living With HIV/AIDS (WLHA)

Abstract

We explored factors influencing sexual and reproductive (SR) decisions related to childbearing for women living with HIV/AIDS (WLHA) in South Africa. We conducted four focus group interviews with 35 women living with HIV/AIDS. Our results show that the SR health care needs of women were not being addressed by many health care workers (HCWs). Additionally, we found that health care decisions were influenced by partners and cultural expectations of motherhood. Given the importance of motherhood, it is necessary for HCWs to address the diverse sexual needs and reproductive desires of WLHA.

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, grant no. R24 MH068180. The authors thank the HIV and AIDS Stigma Project Team, Ms. Zungu for managing data collection in South Africa, and Linda Malatji for collecting the data.