Abstract
This chapter discusses qualitative data from a broader research project supported by WHO that aims at identifying the obstacles to the provision of more integral health care to women living with HIV in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires. The first phase of the study explored women’s experiences, needs, and expectations regarding pregnancy, vertical transmission prevention, condom use, and reproductive intentions through a survey applied to women attending CNRS (National Reference Center for AIDS) for their viral load or CD4 tests or for their babies’ diagnosis (N = 169).
Based on the results of 2009 survey, the authors interviewed a dozen of women taking their babies for lab tests. Interview guidelines focused on time and circumstances when they were notified about their HIV infection; experience in relation to diagnosis, reconstruction of the steps taken since then, and perception of difficulties and facilitators in the care provided by the health services; partner’s role; pregnancy experience; and reproductive intentions.
Findings indicate that getting an HIV-positive result, particularly during pregnancy, is a very difficult situation that awakes strong and contradictory feelings (fear, shame, anger, sorrow). Nevertheless, the fact that an offspring, whether wanted or unexpected, is associated with life counterbalances in some way the feelings elicited by the diagnosis. After the “initial shock,” HIV infection becomes part of women’s life and does not have a unique impact on their sexual and reproductive behavior. Interviewees complied with treatment to prevent vertical transmission as part of their responsibilities to their offspring but tended to postpone their own care. The priority given to children, whether it is that women delay treatment or follow treatment “because of them,” confirms the centrality motherhood has in these women’s lives. Coping with the infection and other adverse situations seemed to have empowered women regarding their contraceptive and reproductive needs and wishes.
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Notes
- 1.
The Argentine health care system has three relatively independent subsystems: public, private, and social security. For more details, see Belmartino (2000).
- 2.
39.6% of those deliveries corresponded to women resident in Buenos Aires City, 57.8% to residents from the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires, and 3.05% to residents from other jurisdictions.
- 3.
It integrated findings from 56 reports of qualitative studies conducted with HIV-positive women.
- 4.
CEDES – Centro de Estudios de Estado y Sociedad.
- 5.
CENEP – Centro de Estudios de Población.
- 6.
Hospitals were chosen by researchers and Coordinación Sida. Both provide health care to people living with HIV/AIDS. One of them is a general hospital, while the other specializes in infectious diseases.
- 7.
We thank Horacio Salomón M.D. (Director) and the staff at the Centro Nacional de Referencia de Sida (National Aids Reference Center) (CNRS) for their collaboration. Since 1997, the CNRS is a World Health Organization and a Pan-American Health Organization AIDS Collaborating Center.
- 8.
Transcription note: I = Interviewer.
- 9.
This was the only case in which the husband was present and insisted on participating of the interview.
- 10.
It should be taken into account that tubal ligation and vasectomy are legal in Argentina only since 2006.
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Gogna, M.L., Fernández, S.B., di Corrado, P., Obiols, M.J. (2013). Pregnancy and Motherhood in the Narratives of Women with HIV Infection Living in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires, Argentina. In: Liamputtong, P. (eds) Women, Motherhood and Living with HIV/AIDS. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5887-2_3
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