Sexuality and childbearing as it is experienced by women living with HIV in Sweden: a lifeworld phenomenological study

ABSTRACT

The effectiveness of antiretroviral treatment has reduced sexual HIV transmission and mother-to-child-transmission. To optimally support women living with HIV, health care providers need deepened knowledge about HIV, sexuality and childbearing. The aim of this study was to describe the phenomenon sexuality and childbearing as experienced by women living with HIV in Sweden. Data were collected by phenomenon-oriented interviews with 18 HIV-positive women. A reflective lifeworld analysis based on phenomenological philosophy was conducted, describing the meaning structure of the phenomenon. The essence of the phenomenon is that perceptions about HIV and its contagiousness profoundly influence sexual habits and considerations in relation to pregnancy and childbearing. These perceptions are formed in combination with knowledge and interpretations about HIV by the women themselves and by their environments. The essence is further described by its constituents: Risk of transmission imposes demands on responsibility; The contagiousness of HIV limits sexuality and childbearing; Knowledge about HIV transmission provides confident choices and decisions; and To re-create sexuality and childbearing. Although HIV has a low risk of transmission if being well treated, our study shows that HIV-positive women feel more or less contagious, which influences sexuality and decision-making in relation to become pregnant and give birth.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV
• women
• sexuality
• reproduction
• health
• phenomenology

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the research participants for sharing their experiences. This research was funded by the Research Council Södra Älvsborg Sweden; Södra Älvsborg Hospital Borås Sweden; Swedbank Sjuhärad’s Foundation for Research at Södra Älvsborg Hospital Borås Sweden; and Alice Swenzon’s Foundation for scientific research.

Declaration of interest statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Swedbank Sjuhärad’s Foundation for Research at Södra Älvsborg Hospital Borås Sweden;Research Council Södra Älvsborg Sweden;Södra Älvsborg Hospital Borås Sweden;Alice Swenzon’s Foundation for scientific research;

Notes on contributors

Ewa Carlsson-Lalloo

Ewa Carlsson-Lalloo is a PhD student with a master in Science of health care and is working on a dissertation about sexuality and childbearing in women living with HIV in Sweden.