Differences in perceptions on sexual and reproductive health between service providers and people living with HIV: A qualitative elicitation study

Abstract

The sexual and reproductive health (SRH)-related needs of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) have not been sufficiently recognised in research and clinical care. Fifteen study sites in 13 European countries participated in this qualitative study to assess differences in perceptions between service providers (SP) and PLHA on SRH-related problems and needs of PLHA. Factors influencing SRH were determined to collect evidence on how to improve service provision. Qualitative data were obtained using an interpretative ethnographical approach. Data were analysed inductively on country level; a cross country data matrix was developed to facilitate the contextual analysis. Thirty-seven FGD discussions were organised with a total of 254 participants. A short survey was distributed to assess demographic characteristics. Results revealed insufficient information and lack of behavioural skills regarding SRH issues among PLHA. Intra- and interpersonal, provider-related, and social factors were found to influence the SRH behaviours of PLHA. Although from patients' perception SRH is a prioritised issue, it rarely comes up during routine HIV clinical care. SP need adequate counseling training to tackle SRH-related issues. A better integration between HIV care programs and SRH care settings is needed to improve effective service provision.

Keywords:

• HIV/AIDS
• sexual and reproductive health
• service provision
• prevention
• elicitation research

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to all participants of the Focus Group discussions for sharing their perceptions and contributing to this study.

The investigators of the participating centres were (authors not included): Gloriana Bartoli & Carlo Giaquinto (University of Padua), N. Dedes (Synthesis, Athens), Caterina Uberti-Foppa & Giulia Galotta (HSR Ospedale, Milan), Birgit Mumelter (University of Innsbruck), Ivo Prochazka (University of Prague), Gabriele Schmied (European Centre, Vienna), Danica Stanekova (University of Bratislava), Ed Wilkins (Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, Manchester), Anda Vaisla (Latvian Family Planning Association, Riga), Michal Pozdal (University of Warsaw).

This study was made possible with a grant from the European Commission, SANCO/Public Health, Grant agreement nr. 2004314; The Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained herein.