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Growing Confidence? Family Planning by HIV-Positive Mothers in a South African Urban Setting

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Women, Motherhood and Living with HIV/AIDS

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Abstract

Prevention of unintended pregnancy amongst HIV-positive women is a critical intervention to reduce maternal mortality and prevent HIV infection of infants. In this qualitative study carried out in Soweto, South Africa, HIV-positive mothers of HIV-negative or HIV-positive infants were interviewed shortly after the birth of their babies in order to explore their perceptions, understandings and experiences on a range of issues. The interviews were subjected to thematic analysis to identify themes significant to the women themselves, as well as those relevant to healthcare provision. This report focuses on findings regarding fertility desires, intentions and practise. The findings are discussed in relation to other research findings. Some implications for healthcare provision are highlighted.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The term, family planning, is used rather than the alternative, reproductive choices, since the former is the term in general use in many guidelines and, in South Africa, amongst women themselves and healthcare workers.

  2. 2.

    Although the focus in this chapter is on prevention of unintended pregnancy, linkages/integration of HIV/AIDS and SRH services are also intended to offer more effective services to support maternal health during pregnancy and delivery and offer PLWHA who wish to have children appropriate counselling related to child spacing and ways to limit risks of transmission to partners during conception and from mother to child.

  3. 3.

    Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

  4. 4.

    In 2011, following a year of implementing the 2010 revised WHO PMTCT guidelines, national rates had fallen to 2.7% (Dinh et al. 2012); based on a previous study (Goga et al. 2012), rates in Soweto were likely to be similar or lower, though still a matter for concern.

  5. 5.

    Written informed consent to participate in tape-recorded interviews was obtained before the interviews. Confidentiality was assured by recording all data under anonymous codes, removing any identifying information during interview transcription and destroying interview tape recordings on completion of the study.

  6. 6.

    Not her real name – pseudonyms are used throughout to protect the identity of participants. Number in brackets – participant number (numbers less than 30, mothers of HIV-negative babies; numbers 30 and above, mothers of HIV-positive babies).

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Acknowledgments

The work reported in this chapter was undertaken at the Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. The Unit is based at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Soweto. We would like to thank the women who participated in the study; fieldworkers Boitumelo Rakosa for conducting and, together with Thomas Mogale, transcribing interviews; and Janet Jobson for assisting with the literature review.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, 20 22nd Street, Menlo Park, Pretoria, 0081, South Africa

    Ray Lazarus

  2. Anova Health Institute, Postnet Suite 242, X30500, Houghton, Johannesburg, 2041, South Africa

    Helen Struthers

  3. Paediatric Division, Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, 114, Diepkloof Soweto, 1864, South Africa

    Avy Violari

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  1. Ray Lazarus
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  2. Helen Struthers
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  3. Avy Violari
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Correspondence to Ray Lazarus .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Public Health, La Trobe University School of Public Health, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia

    Pranee Liamputtong

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Lazarus, R., Struthers, H., Violari, A. (2013). Growing Confidence? Family Planning by HIV-Positive Mothers in a South African Urban Setting. In: Liamputtong, P. (eds) Women, Motherhood and Living with HIV/AIDS. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5887-2_2

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