Back to Search
Start Over
Decision-making about motherhood among women living with HIV in Canada: a negotiation of multidimensional risks.
- Source :
- Culture, Health & Sexuality; Apr2019, Vol. 21 Issue 4, p432-446, 15p
- Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- Little research in Canada has examined the perspectives of women living with HIV on decision-making across the stages of motherhood. In 2004-2005, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 42 African, Caucasian and Haitian HIV-positive women recruited in Montreal. All were or wished to be biological mothers. Transcripts underwent thematic analysis organised by three culturally informed models of motherhood described by the participants, which influenced decision-making and perceived risks. For women who saw motherhood as 'self-fulfilment and completeness', vertical HIV transmission was a primary concern. It threatened their identity as a 'good mother', which also meant adhering to antiretrovirals. For women who viewed motherhood as a 'social realisation' (all African or Haitian), fears of compromised fertility dominated. Not becoming pregnant threatened their social status and presumed health within their community. Antiretrovirals were abandoned after delivery, fearing they would reveal their HIV status. For women endorsing a 'personal growth' model of motherhood (all Caucasian), threats to personal health were paramount. Pregnancy meant purifying body and soul. Antiretrovirals, seen as pollutants, were stopped after delivery. These findings can inform current research and sensitise health providers to the complex biological, psychological, social and spiritual risks that HIV-positive women negotiate in motherhood-related decision-making, towards more patient-centred care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- DECISION making
HIV-positive women
MOTHERHOOD
HIV infection transmission
MOTHERS
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 13691058
- Volume :
- 21
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Culture, Health & Sexuality
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 135412808
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2018.1487585