How the global call for elimination of pediatric HIV can support HIV-positive women to achieve their pregnancy intentions

• Published in: Reproductive health matters Vol. 20; no. 39; pp. 90 - 102
• Main Authors: Mazzeo, Corinne I, Flanagan, Elizabeth H, Bobrow, Emily A, Pitter, Christian S, Marlink, Richard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01-12-2012; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Anti-Retroviral Agents - therapeutic use; Community Health Services - organization & administration; Contraception; Female; Global Health; HIV Infections - prevention & control; HIV Infections - psychology; HIV Infections - transmission; HIV/AIDS; Humans; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical - prevention & control; Intention; Internal Medicine; maternal health; Maternal Welfare; Obstetrics and Gynecology; pediatric HIV; Pediatrics; Pregnancy; pregnancy intentions; Pregnancy, Unwanted; Primary Prevention - organization & administration; reproductive and sexual health; United Nations; HIV/AIDS; pregnancy intentions; maternal health; reproductive and sexual health; pediatric HIV
• ISSN: 0968-8080; 1460-9576
• DOI: 10.1016/S0968-8080(12)39636-5

Abstract The global call to eliminate new pediatric HIV infections requires a comprehensive approach, including consideration of the pregnancy intentions of HIV-positive women. This paper presents a literature review on the interface between pediatric HIV elimination and the pregnancy intentions of HIV-positive women, focusing on the four prongs of prevention of mother-to-child transmission: primary prevention of HIV infection in women; preventing unintended pregnancies in HIV-positive women; preventing transmission of HIV from infected women to their infants; and providing care, support and treatment to HIV-positive women, their children and their families. The paper describes the role of pregnancy intentions in determining appropriate health services for HIV-positive women – including family planning, reproductive and obstetric care, and HIV-related services – and explains how these essential health services are linked to improving maternal health, reducing child mortality and eliminating pediatric HIV. The paper provides context for the recent UNAIDS-led call to eliminate pediatric HIV, which will require a complete, integrated approach to providing family planning, maternal and child health, and HIV-related services for all HIV-affected individuals and families. Ensuring that HIV-positive women have access to high-quality health services to enable them to choose whether and when to have children is an essential component of this approach.