Sexual and reproductive health of women living with HIV/AIDS

Guidelines on care, treatment and support for women living with HIV/AIDS and their children in resource-constrained settings

Published by: World Health Organization (WHO), 2006
Via: Eldis

This publication, produced by UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) and the WHO (World Health Organization), addresses the specific sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of women living with HIV and AIDS. It includes recommendations for counselling, antiretroviral therapy (ART), care and other interventions. It is aimed at national-level programme planners and managers responsible for designing HIV programmes and comprehensive SRH services for women. The authors argue that improving women’s SRH, treating HIV infections and preventing new ones are important factors in reducing poverty and promoting the social and economic development of communities and countries. SRH services are uniquely positioned to address each of these factors.

The document examines: equity and rights; HIV and sexual health; family planning; termination of pregnancy; pregnancy, birth and postpartum; sexually transmitted infections; and women receiving ART. Key recommendations include: ART for women is an essential component of maternal mortality initiatives and needs to be sensitive to women-specific needs; health care providers should anticipate that women receiving ART may require additional counselling and support to make choices regarding their sexuality and childbearing; the possibility of a planned or unintended pregnancy must be considered when selecting an ART regimen for women; and special efforts to support adherence may be needed during pregnancy, childbirth and shortly after birth.