Perceptions of HIV and fertility among adolescents in Soweto, South Africa: stigma and social barriers continue to hinder progress

AIDS Behav. 2009 Jun:13 Suppl 1:55-61. doi: 10.1007/s10461-009-9552-z. Epub 2009 Apr 3.

Abstract

The scale up of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for the treatment of HIV has raised new concerns relating to fertility desires and outcomes. Among these concerns is social stigma surrounding HIV and childbearing. High rates of infection and patterns of high fertility make adolescents a crucial demographic to qualify perceptions of HIV and fertility. We conducted two focus groups (n = 11 males, n = 8 females) with participants ascertained from an HIV adolescent community advisory board in Soweto, South Africa. Adolescents raised concern over re-infection by HIV positive couples attempting to conceive. They also used this concern to justify their attitudes that HIV positive couples should adopt when faced with the desire to have children. Lastly, participants spoke of a need to revise adolescent sexual and reproductive health services to make them more youth-friendly where users could avoid stigma generated by community healthcare workers. This study adds to the growing literature that calls for an evaluation of adolescent HIV educational programs and a healthcare worker intervention that specifically targets stigma surrounding HIV and childbearing.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior
  • Adolescent Health Services
  • Female
  • Fertility*
  • Focus Groups
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • South Africa
  • Stereotyping*