How does HIV affect the reproductive choices of women of childbearing age?

Challenges, risks, and opportunities of antiretroviral drugs in women of reproductive potential

INTRODUCTION

The HIV/AIDS epidemic has been one of the greatest challenges in global health, significantly affecting women of reproductive potential. Considerable advances in antiretroviral therapy for women living with HIV have contributed to improvements in quality of life, better reproductive and birth outcomes, and a reduced risk of perinatal transmission.

AREAS COVERED

Despite the progress made, persistent challenges in access and adherence to antiretroviral drugs may limit their benefits for some women. More pharmacokinetic and safety studies in pregnant and lactating women are urgently needed, as are prospective surveillance systems to evaluate associations between fetal and infant antiretroviral exposures, drug-drug interactions, and pregnancy outcomes.

EXPERT OPINION

Multipurpose technologies, such as combined HIV and other STI or unintended pregnancy prevention, and innovative delivery methods, such as the development of long-acting antiretrovirals, have the potential to reduce adherence challenges and enhance quality of life for women with HIV. Parallel advances in drug safety testing and surveillance are needed to ensure the health and safety of women with or at risk for HIV and children at risk for perinatal transmission.

Reproductive decision-making of Black women living with HIV: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Black women living with HIV account for a higher proportion of new HIV diagnoses than other groups. These women experience restricted access to reproductive services and inadequate support from healthcare providers because their position in society is based on their sexual health and social identity in the context of this stigmatizing chronic disease. By recognizing the analytical relevance of intersectionality, the reproductive decision-making of Black women can be explored as a social phenomenon of society with varied positionality.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this review was to synthesize the evidence about the reproductive decision-making of Black women living with HIV in high-income countries from the beginning of the HIV epidemic to the present.

METHODS

This systematic review was guided by the JBI evidence synthesis recommendations. Searches were completed in seven databases from 1985 to 2021, and the review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD420180919).

RESULTS

Of 3503 records, 22 studies were chosen for synthesis, including 19 observational and three qualitative designs. Nearly, all studies originated from the United States; the earliest was reported in 1995. Few studies provided detailed sociodemographic data or subgroup analysis focused on race or ethnicity. Influencing factors for reproductive decision-making were organized into the following seven categories: ethnicity, race, and pregnancy; religion and spirituality; attitudes and beliefs about antiretroviral therapy; supportive people; motherhood and fulfillment; reproductive planning; and health and wellness.

CONCLUSION

No major differences were identified in the reproductive decision-making of Black women living with HIV. Even though Black women were the largest group of women living with HIV, no studies reported a subgroup analysis, and few studies detailed sociodemographic information specific to Black women. In the future, institutional review boards should require a subgroup analysis for Black women when they are included as participants in larger studies of women living with HIV.

Motherhood and decision-making among women living with HIV in developed countries: a systematic review with qualitative research synthesis

BACKGROUND

Women living with HIV (WLH) lack evidence-based information about reproductive options while managing pressures from family, clinicians, and communities to give up the idea of having children. As the reproduction intentions of WLH are not well understood, stigmatizing behaviors force them to hide their disease to avoid rejection by their family, partner, and social networks. Compliance with social norms, fear of stigma, and discrimination influence their experience. Current research is individual qualitative studies lacking the synthesis perspective necessary to guide intervention development. The purpose of this study was to synthesize the evidence to explain the reproductive decision-making process for WLH in developed countries.

METHODS

A systematic review with qualitative research synthesis was conducted through searches in 10 electronic databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus, Social Science Citation Index, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Cuidatge, Cuiden Enfispo, and SciELO). Studies published in journals from 1995 to 2019 with qualitative data about reproductive decision-making among WLH in developed countries were eligible for inclusion. Developed country was operationalized by membership in the OECD for comparative conditions of social wellbeing and economic stability. The CASP and JBI checklists for qualitative research were used to assess study quality and methodological integrity. Thematic analysis and qualitative meta-summary techniques were used for the synthesis.

RESULTS

Twenty studies from 12 developed countries were included in the synthesis. Findings were organized into 3 meta-themes from 15 themes and 45 subthemes, including: (1) Shattered identity, (2) Barriers, inequities, and misinformation, (3) Coping, resiliency, and support. Reproductive decision-making was perceived as a complex process influenced by facilitators and barriers. The facilitators helped WLH cope with their new situation to become more resilient, while the barriers made their situation more difficult to manage.

CONCLUSION

WLH encounter reproductive decision-making with knowledge deficits and limited social support. An integrated approach to holistic care with comprehensive multidisciplinary counseling is needed to support WLH. Clinicians could benefit from professional development to learn how to be authentically present for WLH, including engaging in conversations, demonstrating compassion, and understanding situations. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines need to be tailored for the family planning and sexual health needs of WLH.

Reproductive decision-making in women living with human immunodeficiency virus: A systematic review

OBJECTIVES

Analyze and synthesize the research evidence to understand the reproductive decisions made by women living with HIV from the beginning of the epidemic to the present. Evaluate the barriers and the facilitators for reproductive decision-making. Identify areas of strength, improvement, and those requiring further research.

DESIGN AND DATA SOURCES

Systematic review following the PRISMA guideline. PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, SocINDEX, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched from 1985 to 2016 using the following Keywords: HIV, AIDS, pregnancy, reproduction, and decision-making.

STUDY SELECTION

A total of 42 research papers were included in this review. Initially, 1563 papers were identified for the review by database (n=1544) and hand (n=19) searches. With three review levels, 1521 papers were excluded (title review, n=1272; abstract review, n=136; and full paper review, n=113). Studies published in English in peer-reviewed journals using both quantitative and qualitative methods and addressing reproductive decisions in women living with HIV were included. Thirdly, inclusion eligibility was assessed by title, abstract, and full text.

REVIEW METHODS

Random allocation conducted by the primary researcher assigned an equal number of papers to each researcher for review, including detailed instructions with an abstraction form. Discrepancies were resolved by two researchers. Research quality was assessed using the NCHBL Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies, the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme for the qualitative studies and its version for systematic reviews RESULTS: The review included 42 papers, both quantitative (n=24) and qualitative methods (n=14). Most studies were completed by physicians (n=16) or nurses (n=15). More than two-thirds of the studies were performed in urban settings with predominantly African-American women (n=27). Eight factors were identified as influencing the reproductive decision-making process in women living with HIV: 'Socio-demographic, Health status and Pregnancy', 'Religion and spirituality', 'Beliefs and Attitudes about Antiretroviral Therapy', 'Healthcare providers', 'Significant others', 'Motherhood and fulfillment', 'Fear of perinatal infection and infection of partner(s)', 'Birth control and pregnancy management'.

CONCLUSIONS

Health care providers are not providing patient-centered care by applying scientific evidence to their practice when advising women with HIV in making reproductive decisions. Despite the strong evidence indicating pregnancy for women with HIV results in a safe birthing trajectory, one not likely to jeopardize the health of the either the mother or fetus, providers continue to recommend the women with HIV avoid pregnancy and neglect to invite partners to participate in the discussion.

Barriers to communication between HIV care providers (HCPs) and women living with HIV about child bearing: A qualitative study

OBJECTIVES

In the context of HIV clinical care, open discussion regarding sexual health and reproductive plans has become increasingly relevant. The aim of this paper is to explore barriers to communication between providers and women living with HIV regarding childbearing.

METHODS

In-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with 48 HIV infected women receiving ART at 7 different HIV clinics providing comprehensive HIV care services in four districts in Uganda, between July and August 2012. All women were aware of their HIV diagnosis prior to pregnancy or had given birth while living with HIV.

RESULTS

Four themes emerged describing barriers to communication, from the HIV-positive women's point of view: (i) provider indifference or opposition to childbearing post HIV diagnosis, (ii) anticipation of negative response from provider, (iii) provider's emphasis on 'scientific' facts, (iv) 'accidental pregnancy'.

CONCLUSION

Existing evidence regarding effective provider-patient communication should be considered for its application for reproductive counseling among HIV infected women.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

These data demonstrate the need for current counseling guidelines to explore approaches that encourage open, non-judgmental, non-directive discussions with HIV positive individuals around their reproductive desires and intentions in a health care setting.

Women living with HIV still lack highly effective contraception: results from the ANRS VESPA2 study, France, 2011

OBJECTIVES

Advances in antiretroviral treatment (ART) have led to improvements in reproductive health for women living with HIV. This paper aims to investigate the pattern of contraceptive use among women living with HIV in France.

STUDY DESIGN

Data were drawn from the ANRS VESPA2 study, which included a representative sample of HIV-positive people. Contraception methods were documented, including condoms, highly effective contraception methods (HEC) and traditional methods. We measured the frequency of not using any modern contraception (neither condoms nor HEC) and of HEC use and studied their correlates (i.e., geographic origin, age, parity, partnership status, education level, material deprivation, employment status, health insurance, visits to a gynecologist, being on ART, cardiovascular risk) among women at risk of an unintended pregnancy.

RESULTS

Of the 662 women of reproductive age, 327 were in need of contraception. Overall, 20.5% used HEC, 58.8% used condoms and 20.7% used traditional or no methods, with no difference according to geographic origin [sub-Saharan African (SSA) women vs. French and other migrant women]. Among SSA women, being <30years old [odds ratio (OR) 16.39, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 2.77-97.01], having had at least one child (OR 3.75, 95%CI 1.75-8.04) and being employed (OR 2.36, 95%CI 0.99-5.61) were associated with HEC use; among French and other migrant women, HEC use was associated with being in a stable partnership (OR 4.5, 95%CI 1.2-17.2) and material deprivation (OR 3.3 95%CI 1.4-9.8). Gynecologist visits, health insurance status and cardiovascular risk were not associated with HEC use.

CONCLUSIONS

Condoms remained the predominant contraceptive method despite the absence of restrictions on hormonal contraception and intrauterine device use for HIV-positive women. The recent recommendations about dual method protection should be actively promoted, targeting HIV-positive women, HIV specialists and gynecologists to overcome the barriers to effective contraception.

IMPLICATIONS

The information provided in this study constitutes a major contribution to comprehensively inform the scientific community on contraception practices among women living with HIV in France in the early 2010s. Our results show that the therapeutic advances since the late 1990s and the removal of restrictions on hormonal contraception use have not led to the expected shift in contraception patterns. There is an urgent need to promote dual method protection, as condom use may decrease in the future in the context of the preventive effect of ART.

HIV-infected women in Europe: gender-specific needs and challenges

In collaboration with the Strong, HIV positive, Empowered Women (SHE) programme, an industry-funded initiative aimed at improving the quality of life of HIV-positive women, Antiviral Therapy has taken the excellent step to dedicate a Supplement Issue addressing the needs and challenges related to the care of women living in Europe. Included articles present the multiple facets of gender-specific issues and research gaps, ranging from HIV testing strategies to antiretroviral combination therapy, including long-term challenges associated with chronic HIV infection.

What do we know about antiretroviral treatment of HIV in women?

As the number of women living with HIV continues to increase, the lack of sex-specific data on responses to antiretroviral therapy (ART) becomes increasingly problematic. Establishing the specific needs of women has been hampered by a strong male bias of study populations in clinical trials resulting in a lack of female-specific data for ART. The limited data currently available make it difficult to draw conclusions about the pharmacokinetic profile and clinical efficacy of ART in women. Data relating to the safety and tolerability profiles of ART in women are more plentiful, with indications that women may experience adverse event profiles distinct from those experienced by men. This, in turn, may be a factor in the generally higher rates of discontinuation of ART observed in women. Psychological and social aspects of HIV infection are particularly pertinent for women and girls, presenting potential barriers to diagnosis, access and adherence to therapy. Understanding these factors, in conjunction with an increase in clinical trial and real-world data specific to women with HIV is required to provide clearer guidance on optimum ART options for women.