HIV and Sexuality: Perceptions and Experiences of Sexuality among Women Who Live with HIV in Sweden

Norwald, Karl; Holmström, Charlotta; Plantin, Lars

doi:10.24966/acrs-7370/100012

Cited by 3 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…In a meta-synthesis of 18 qualitative studies, it was demonstrated that HIV was a burden in relation to sexuality and reproduction for HIV-positive women, and that the burden comprises fear of transmitting HIV to a partner or infant (Carlsson-Lalloo, Rusner, Mellgren, & Berg, 2016). In 2017, a Swedish inductive interview study examining seven HIV-positive women’s sexuality showed that fear of transmitting HIV to one’s partner is highly present (Norwald, Holmström, & Plantin, 2017). In order to support the health and well-being of women living with HIV, health care professionals need access to a solid knowledge base about issues related to HIV, sexuality and childbearing (Carter et al, 2017a; Shapiro & Ray, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexuality and childbearing as it is experienced by women living with HIV in Sweden: a lifeworld phenomenological study

Carlsson-Lalloo

Berg

Mellgren

et al. 2018

International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well

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The effectiveness of antiretroviral treatment has reduced sexual HIV transmission and mother-to-child-transmission. To optimally support women living with HIV, health care providers need deepened knowledge about HIV, sexuality and childbearing. The aim of this study was to describe the phenomenon sexuality and childbearing as experienced by women living with HIV in Sweden. Data were collected by phenomenon-oriented interviews with 18 HIV-positive women. A reflective lifeworld analysis based on phenomenological philosophy was conducted, describing the meaning structure of the phenomenon. The essence of the phenomenon is that perceptions about HIV and its contagiousness profoundly influence sexual habits and considerations in relation to pregnancy and childbearing. These perceptions are formed in combination with knowledge and interpretations about HIV by the women themselves and by their environments. The essence is further described by its constituents: Risk of transmission imposes demands on responsibility; The contagiousness of HIV limits sexuality and childbearing; Knowledge about HIV transmission provides confident choices and decisions; and To re-create sexuality and childbearing. Although HIV has a low risk of transmission if being well treated, our study shows that HIV-positive women feel more or less contagious, which influences sexuality and decision-making in relation to become pregnant and give birth.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexuality and childbearing as it is experienced by women living with HIV in Sweden: a lifeworld phenomenological study

Carlsson-Lalloo

Berg

Mellgren

et al. 2018

International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well

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“…Our results confirm previous studies that also suggest that HIV-related stigma and discrimination stemming from misconceptions and outdated beliefs negatively affect the sexual and reproductive lives of women LWH to varying degrees. 6 , 14 , 16 To some extent, the various experiences of women LWH in Sweden can be understood in relation to time since diagnosis, whether they are migrants or not, or their relationships and marital status. Yet, there are individual variations that cannot be directly attributed to such demographic factors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, the sexual desire of women LWH has been reported to change over time, as they tend to report decreased sexual desire in the early stage of antiretroviral treatment compared to later, when their health has improved. 14 , 22 Other studies suggest that HIV and its treatment affect women’s sexuality and sexual health, 23–25 leading to poor sexual health outcomes, feelings of loss of womanhood, abstinence and altered body image. 6 , 15 , 22 , 24–26 The fear of transmitting the virus to partners and the perception of being “non-sexual” subjects, have been identified as the underlying causes of these poor outcomes and feelings.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fear of rejection and negative reactions in case they shared their HIV status also affected how they experienced existing relationships and the possibility of establishing new ones. 14 A quantitative study among people living with HIV also found that about 44% of women LWH were dissatisfied with their sex lives. Sexual dissatisfaction was associated with distress, difficulty in achieving orgasm and perceptions that HIV had negatively changed their sex life.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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“Discrimination is harder to live with than the disease”: an interview study of the perceptions and experiences of sexual and reproductive health and rights among women living with HIV in Sweden

Nkulu-Kalengayi,

Hurtig,

Linander

2023

Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters

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Around 40% of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Sweden are women. However, little is known about their experiences, particularly those related to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). This study aims to explore perceptions and experiences of SRHR among women living with HIV (LWH). Twelve interviews were conducted with women LWH from September to October 2019 and analysed using thematic analysis. The central theme describing participants’ experiences of social relationships, intimate encounters and reproductive life, “Discrimination is harder to live with than the disease itself”, is based on three themes that contain subthemes. Theme 1 describes how participants reconsider and reorient their sexual and reproductive life after diagnosis. Theme 2 highlights how (mis)perceptions of HIV affect sexual and reproductive life and lead to abusive treatment and internalisation. Theme 3 describes a paradoxical shift of responsibilities where participants experience being compelled to take greater responsibility in some situations and stripped of the right to decide in others. This study suggests that despite notable progress in HIV treatment, stigma and discrimination stemming from outdated beliefs and (mis)conceptions, ambiguous policies and guidelines, and unequal access to information affect SRHR experiences of women LWH more than the virus itself. The results emphasise the need to: update knowledge within healthcare settings and among the public; clarify ambiguous legislations and guidelines; ensure equal access to information to enable all women LWH to take informed decisions, make fully informed choices and realise their SRHR; and consider the diversity of women LWH and enable shared decision-making.

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“…It highlighted the importance of a support network among WHIV and WHCV, focused in all social determinants for each woman, as well the high importance that the quality of sexual activity plays as a determinant to wellbeing. Even though, sexual health is an essential element of overall health and well-being, the sexuality of women, including WHIV, is obscured by that of men in current patriarchal societies [46]. For example, in African society there exists several taboos about WHIV and they have no control about sexual practices [47].…”

Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 99%

Positive relations between sexual quality of life and satisfaction with healthcare in women living with HIV and/or HCV: Results from a multicountry study

et al. 2023

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Introduction The sexual quality of life is a neglected concern in women living with HIV (WHIV) or with HCV (WHCV), which can further be affected by their experience with stigma, social instability, fear of transmission and reduced access to treatment. The objective of this study was to identify sociodemographic, psychosocial, and behavioural factors associated with sexual quality of life (SQoL) in this study group. Methods Between December 2017 and December 2018, PROQoL-Sex Life questionnaire was administered to 404 WHIV and WHCV in five countries. PROQoL-SQoL consists of four dimensions: positive sexual perception (Psp), stigma and social distress (Sti), soft sexual practices (Sof), sexual practices with a partner (Sp), all of which were scored from 0 to 100 and considered as main outcomes, lower scores mean better sexual quality of life. Linear mixed effects models were used to evaluate the association with sociodemographic and psychosocial factors. Results Of the participants analyzed, 191 were living with HCV, 180 with HIV and 33 with HIV and HCV, median age was 48. Among WHIV, a higher satisfaction with health care, and talking about sexuality with healthcare workers were associated with lower scores in all the dimensions of the SQoL, while psychoactive substance use was associated with lower scores of Sti and Sof. Moreover, higher satisfaction with health care, talking about sexuality with healthcare workers, and psychoactive substance use (except cocaine use) in WHCV were associated with lower scores in Psp, Sti, and Sof. Besides, cocaine use was associated with higher scores of Sof. Conclusion This study highlighted strong relationship between the quality of health care, and psychoactive substance use (except cocaine) and the sexual quality of life in WHIV and WHCV in these five countries. These findings draw attention to the different interventions that can be proposed for improving the sexual quality of life.

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HIV and Sexuality: Perceptions and Experiences of Sexuality among Women Who Live with HIV in Sweden

Cited by 3 publications

References 8 publications

Sexuality and childbearing as it is experienced by women living with HIV in Sweden: a lifeworld phenomenological study

Sexuality and childbearing as it is experienced by women living with HIV in Sweden: a lifeworld phenomenological study

“Discrimination is harder to live with than the disease”: an interview study of the perceptions and experiences of sexual and reproductive health and rights among women living with HIV in Sweden

Positive relations between sexual quality of life and satisfaction with healthcare in women living with HIV and/or HCV: Results from a multicountry study

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