Realizing Women Living with HIV's Reproductive Rights in the Era of ART: The Negative Impact of Non-consensual HIV Disclosure on Pregnancy Decisions Amongst Women Living with HIV in a Canadian Setting

Abstract

Background: To better understand the structural drivers of women living with HIV’s reproductive rights and choices, this study examined the structural correlates, including non-consensual HIV disclosure, on WLWH’s pregnancy decisions and describes access to preconception care. Analyses drew on data (2014-present) from SHAWNA, a longitudinal community-based cohort with WLWH across Metro-Vancouver, Canada. Multivariable logistic regression was used to model the effect of non-consensual HIV disclosure on WLWH’s pregnancy decisions. Of 218 included in the analysis, 24.8% had felt discouraged from becoming pregnant and 11.5% reported accessing preconception counseling. In multivariable analyses, non-consensual HIV disclosure was positively associated with feeling discouraged from wanting to become pregnant (AOR: 3.76; 95%CI 1.82–7.80). Non-consensual HIV disclosure adversely affects WLWH’s pregnancy decisions. Supporting the reproductive rights of WLWH will require further training among general practitioners on reproductive health of WLWH and improved access to women-centred, trauma-informed care, including non-judgmental preconception counseling.