Sexual and reproductive health needs of HIV-positive women in Botswana – a study of health care worker's views

Dados Bibliográficos

ID19442001
AutoresMichelle M Schaan (University of KwaZulu-Natal, autor correspondente), Myra Taylor (0000-0003-3087-2240, University of KwaZulu-Natal), John Puvimanasinghe (d Formerly with the ARV Program , Botswana Ministry of Health , Gaborone , Botswana), John P A Puvimanasinghe (Ministry of Health), Lesego Busang (e African Comprehensive Partnership on HIV/AIDS , Gaborone , Botswana), Koona Keapoletswe (f PMTCT Program , Botswana Ministry of Health , Gaborone , Botswana), Richard Marlink (0000-0002-3500-3493, Harvard University)
Ano2012
Volume24
Fascículo9
Páginas1120-1125
Data de publicação2012-09-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoAIDS Care (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0954-0121 • E-ISSN: 1360-0451
EditoraInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09540121.2012.672814
PMID22568549
OpenAlexW2043917379
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas7
Referências citadas5

Botswana's HIV prevalence is one of the highest in the world at 31.8% in the 15-49 years antenatal population. Being HIV-positive for a woman presents unique challenges with regard to sexuality, child bearing, and partner relations. To ensure optimal sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of HIV-positive women, it is important to understand how health care workers (HCWs) are prepared to address SRH issues such as contraception, fertility desires, and partner violence. This study reports on a knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) questionnaire completed by 98 HCWs from clinics located in and nearby Gaborone and analyzed using descriptive and nonparametric statistics. The majority of participants were nurses (43%), health educators (27%), and lay counselors (19%), 82% female, median age of 35 (Interquartile Range (IQR): 29.25-43.75). General HIV/AIDS knowledge was high with a median score of 8.0/9 (89%) (IQR: 8-9). However, the median SRH knowledge score was much lower at 6.0/10 (60%) (IQR: 4-7). Of the three groups, the SRH knowledge scores of lay counselors were significantly lower than nurses (p=0.024). The attitude scores pertaining to issues such as family planning, sexual violence, the health system's ability to offer SRH services, and personal ability to offer SRH services were moderately positive with a median score of 75% (IQR: 69-81%); although nearly 25% of respondents felt that it is irresponsible for an HIV-positive woman to want to have a child. When presented with a case study of an abused, HIV-positive pregnant woman, most respondents indicated they would offer supportive care without judgment; however 28% of respondents indicated they would express disapproval or disappointment for becoming pregnant when she knows she is HIV-positive. The low SRH knowledge scores together with discriminatory attitudes and practices emphasize the need for increased and ongoing training in SRH issues for all HCWs who provide care for HIV-positive women

Environmental health · Family medicine · Family planning · Health care · Human sexuality · Interquartile range · Population · Reproductive health · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Demography · Gender Studies · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Nursing