[Exercising sexual and reproductive rights: a qualitative study of heterosexual people with HIV in Mexico].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze experiences of heterosexual Mexican people living with HIV (PLWHA) related to the exercise of their sexual and reproductive rights.


METHODS
Qualitative study based on 40 in-depth interviews with PLWHA in four Mexican States.


RESULTS
Lack of support and counseling limits the exercise of sexual and reproductive rights by PLWHA, especially women. Principal limitations include feelings of frustration and confusion, fear of re-infection, scanty information, lack of power to negotiate condom use, social stigma and discrimination, and limited access to services and adequate technologies.


CONCLUSIONS
To increase awareness and exercise of rights by PLWHA it is necessary to: improve sexual education; promote processes of cultural change to combat gender inequality and stigma and discrimination; and provide timely and scientific information about HIV prevention.
Campero
Lourdes
L
Centro de Investigación en Salud Poblacional, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Cuernavaca, Morelos, México.
Kendall
Tamil
T
Caballero
Marta
M
Mena
Ana Lorena
AL
Herrera
Cristina
C
D000328:Adult; D003221:Confusion; D004522:Educational Status; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D005639:Frustration; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice; D012098:Reproduction; D021841:Safe Sex; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology