title: Client and provider knowledge and views on safer conception for people living with HIV (PLHIV).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The childbearing needs of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and the experiences of healthcare providers serving them are explored. We examine provider and client knowledge and views on safer conception methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study uses exploratory qualitative research to understand provider and client perspectives on childbearing and safer conception. Interviews were conducted at 3 sites (1 rural, 2 urban) in eThekwini District, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa between May 2011 and August 2012, including in-depth interviews with 43 PLHIV, 2 focus group discussions and 12 in-depth interviews with providers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clients had little knowledge and providers had limited knowledge of safer conception methods. While clients were eager to receive counseling on safer conception, providers had some hesitations but were eager to receive training in delivering safer conception services. Clients and providers noted that biological parentage is a major concern of PLHIV. Clients were willing to use any of the described methods to have biological children but some expressed concerns about potential risks associated with timed unprotected intercourse. Male clients required access to reproductive health information.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Providers need to routinely initiate discussions with clients about childbearing intentions. Providers need to be enabled with approved guidelines and training to support client access to safer conception methods.
authors.affiliation: Center for Culture and Health, Semel Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, USA. Electronic address: dmindry@ucla.edu.
authors.forename: Deborah L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Mindry
authors.affiliation: MatCH Research (Maternal, Adolescent and Child Health), Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Milford
authors.affiliation: MatCH Research (Maternal, Adolescent and Child Health), Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: Letitia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Greener
authors.affiliation: MatCH Research (Maternal, Adolescent and Child Health), Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: Ross M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Greener
authors.affiliation: School of Built Environment and Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: Pranitha
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maharaj
authors.affiliation: School of Built Environment and Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: Thabo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Letsoalo
authors.affiliation: School of Built Environment and Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Munthree
authors.affiliation: Health Economics HIV/AIDS Research Division (HEARD), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: Tamaryn L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Crankshaw
authors.affiliation: MatCH Research (Maternal, Adolescent and Child Health), Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Durban, South Africa; School of Built Environment and Development Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Smit
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003267:Contraception; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012731:Sex Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D013019:South Africa
keywords: Childbearing; Health care providers; People living with HIV; Safer conception; South Africa