Decisions to Have a Baby by HIV-Infected Women

Abstract

As the epidemiologic picture of HIV changes to include increased numbers of women of childbearing age, particularly those of African American heritage and thosefrom rural southern cultures, those who provide services to these women need to understand the processes used by HIV-infected women to make reproductive decisions. Focus-group data with subsequent content analysis were used to discover themes surrounding pregnancy decisions among 22 women in two predominantly rural southeastern states. The results both validated and amplified previous findings and added new perspectives. The analyses revealed six overarching themes: spiritual and religious beliefs, knowledge and beliefs about HIV: previous experience with childbearing attitudes offamilies and sex partners, personal health, and intrapersonal motivation to have a baby.