title: Pregnancy decisions among women with HIV.
abstract: Nearly 80% of women currently infected with HIV are of childbearing age. As women of childbearing age continue to be at risk of contracting HIV, there will be an increased need for choices about whether or not to have biological children. The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate the influence of partners, physicians, and family members on pregnancy decisions, as well as the impact of HIV stigma on these decisions. Results indicated that most women chose not to become pregnant since learning their HIV diagnosis and the woman's age at the time of diagnosis is significantly associated with this decision. Additional factors included fear of transmitting HIV to their child, personal health-related concerns, and desire to have children. Women with a procreative inclination were more likely to choose to become pregnant which outweighed social support and personal health concerns. Implications and suggestions for future research are noted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Development and Family Science, The Ohio State University, 1787 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. craft.30@osu.edu
authors.forename: Shonda M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Craft
authors.forename: Robin O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Delaney
authors.forename: Dianne T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Bautista
authors.forename: Julianne M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Serovich
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000523:psychology*; D043762:Reproductive Behavior; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health