177606 Sexual and reproductive health needs of recently pregnant and pregnant HIV infected women in Mexico

Monday, October 27, 2008

Sandra Garcia, ScD, ScM , Mexico Office, Population Council, Mexico City, Mexico
Marieke G. Van Dijk, MD, MA , Reproductive Health Program, Population Council Mexico Office, Mexico City, Mexico
H. Dawn Fukuda, ScM , HIV/AIDS Bureau, Health Services Unit, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA
Claudia Diaz, PhD , Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica, Cuernavaca, Mexico
Background: The number of women living with HIV in Mexico is rising. However, little is known about their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs. We have begun a two-pronged qualitative study among HIV infected women and their healthcare providers in Mexico. Among women, we are documenting their broader SRH needs, as well as exploring pregnancy management decisions and the quality of information and treatment received. Furthermore, we are exploring opinions and practices of healthcare providers concerning SRH care for HIV infected women.

Methods: We are carrying out in-depth interviews with a sample of 30 women who were recently pregnant (with different pregnancy outcomes: live birth, miscarriage or induced abortion), and 10 currently pregnant women, in Mexico City and Guanajuato state. We will interview 18 healthcare providers. Although we have a rough target sample size, for each participant group we will sample until we reach saturation of the data.

Results: Fieldwork is underway and results will be analyzed by June 2008. Using a grounded theory approach, we will map out the experiences of HIV-infected Mexican women with their healthcare providers, and to the extent permitted by the data, we will present a theory-based typology of interactions, including participant-based recommendations for improving relevant quality of care. We will analyze data from healthcare providers in a similar manner.

Conclusion: This information will be helpful in identifying resources that support HIV infected women to have a better SRH, improved access to HIV treatment and MTCT services, or improved access to safe abortion services (if desired).

Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the sexual and reproductive health needs, including pregnancy management decisions, of HIV infected women in Mexico. 2. List the main barriers in obtaining sexual and reproductive health care that HIV infected women encounter. 3. Describe the health care providers’ perspective on sexual and reproductive health care for HIV infected women.

Keywords: Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the study coordinator of this project. I have been involved in writing the protocol, doing the fieldwork and I will analyze the data.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Reproductive Health and HIV/STI Issues
See more of: Population, Family Planning, and Reproductive Health