“He Doesn't Love Me Less. He Loves Me More”: Perceptions of Women Living With HIV/AIDS of Partner Support in Childbearing Decision-Making

Abstract

Our purpose in this study was to understand the importance of male partner support in the childbearing decision-making processes of women living with HIV/AIDS (WLHA) by exploring their perceptions of support after disclosure, prepartum, and postpartum. We conducted in-depth interviews with 15 WLHA who were receiving clinical HIV care at a teaching hospital in Lagos. Results show that all male partners were consistently supportive, except the partner of the only unmarried participant. Other subthemes that emerged include the following: emotional support and reassurance; partnership and faith; and tangible support. We reveal important implications for HIV treatment and care programs.