Reproductive Decisions of Women With HIV/AIDS in Abuja Nigeria

Background: Misconception about whether women with HIV/AIDS (WLWHA) should have babies abound. Concern about infecting their babies or leaving them orphans has often informed unethical sterilization of WLWHA. This paper explores reproductive decisions and experiences of WLWHA in Abuja, Nigeria. Method: Seventeen WLWHA who had a child post HIV diagnosis were interviewed. They were between ages 26 and 41, had limited education and were mainly housewives and petty traders. Result: The women have had between 1-6 children before being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and 1-4 children post diagnosis, eleven (65%) had at least one HIV positive child, 35% (6) experienced infant death while 24% (4) had miscarriages, they all had difficulty getting pregnant. The women chose to have babies to fulfill their natural maternal instinct, fulfill cultural expectations, and secure their marriages. They had access to Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMCTC) programs. Their confidence in the efficacy of PMCTC was reinforced by having and or seeing other WLWHA with, HIV negative babies. They believed that ART, positive living, and their faith in God would keep them alive to raise their children. Three women wanted to leave a part of them to comfort their husband and family in the event of their demise.

Conclusion: Understanding the socio-cultural, spiritual and other factors that influence the reproductive decisions and experiences of WLWHA would inform policy makers, program planners, health personnel and the institutions that train them to better meet the reproductive health needs and rights of WLWHA.