ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study examines whether an HIV positive status will influence fertility decision-making
and contraceptive practices of women in living with HIV (WLHIV) or if improved
antiretroviral therapy (ART) and regular HIV care can also make a contribution to their
choices.
The study was qualitative and it utilized a document analysis, a focus group discussion and
interviews held in Khayelitsha, South Africa. A total of 30 women living with HIV aged
between 18-45 years formed part of the study. Additional interviews were conducted with the
health care worker and the Support Group Coordinator. Data was analysed through the
identification of emerging themes and grouping of similar data.
The responses given by the participants provided an understanding of the thought processes
around contraceptive use and fertility decision-making for WLHIV. Evidently, contraceptive
practices and fertility intention change over time (due to knowledge change of plans, partner
or family opposition, side effects, or changes to their economic or educational situation
among other reasons).
Although the study population (n=30) was too small to make definite conclusions, the
findings seem to tell of a transition towards the realisation of the rights of WLHIV. In spite of
the many challenges that are faced by WLHIV, there seems to be a fairly conducive
environment (both in terms of policy and resources) to enable WLHIV to fulfil their fertility
intentions. However, there is need for programme planners to enhance ways of putting policy
into practice. Finally, it would be useful to invest further into research to obtain a broader list
of WLHIV’s experiences, their rationale for making certain decisions regarding their
reproductive health choices and the level of importance assigned to each reason. This was
beyond the scope of this study.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek of 'n HIV positiewe status vrugbaarheidsbesluitneming en
voorbehoedpraktyke van vroue wat met HIV leef sal beïnvloed en of verbeterde
antiretrovirale terapie (ART) en gereelde HIV sorg ook 'n bydrae sal maak tot hul keuses.
Die studie was kwalitatief en dit het gebruik gemaak van dokumentanalise, 'n fokusgroepbespreking
en onderhoude wat in Khayelitsha, Suid-Afrika, gevoer is. In totaal het 30 vroue
wat met HIV leef (WLHIV), tussen die ouderdomme van 18-45 jaar deel uitgemaak van die
studie. Bykomende onderhoude is met gesondheidsorgwerkers en die Koördineerder van 'n
ondersteuningsgroep gevoer. Data is geanaliseer deur middel van die identifikasie van temas
wat na vore gekom het en die groepering van soortgelyke data.
Die deelnemers se antwoorde verskaf 'n begrip van die denkprosesse rondom die gebruik van
voorbehoeding en die vrugbaarheidsbesluitneming van WLHIV. Dit blyk dat
voorbehoedpraktyke en vrugbaarheidsbegeertes verander met verloop van tyd (weens, onder
meer, kennis verandering van planne, opposisie van 'n lewensmaat of familie, newe effekte of
verandering aan hul ekonomiese of opvoedkundige situasie).
Alhoewel die studie populasie (n=30) te klein was om definitiewe gevolgtrekkings te maak,
blyk dit dat die bevindinge dui op 'n transisie in die realisering van die regte van WLHIV.
Ten spyte van die vele uitdagings wat WLHIV in die gesig staar, blyk dit dat daar 'n redelik
gunstige omgewing (in terme van beide beleid en hulpbronne) is om WLHIV in staat te stel
om hul vrugbaarheidsbegeertes te vervul. Tog is dit nodig dat programbeplanners die manier
waarop beleide in praktyk omgesit word, verbeter. Uiteindelik sal dit handig wees om verder
in navorsing te belê om 'n wyer lys van WLHIV se ondervindings te kry, sowel as hul redes
vir sekere besluite rakende hul voorplantingsgesondheid en die vlak van belangrikheid wat
aan elke rede geheg word. Hierdie is buite die bestek van hierdie studie.
