Women autonomy and aids: motivations for pregnancy in a HIV serodiscordant woman

• Main Authors: Elen Soraia de Menezes Cabral, Alda Martins Gonçalves, Juliana Dias Reis Pessalacia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Federal do Ceará 2012-04-01
• Series: Rev Rene
• Subjects: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Pregnancy; Gender Identity; Social Stigma; Personal Autonomy
• Online Access: http://www.revistarene.ufc.br/revista/index.php/revista/article/view/210
• ISSN: 1517-3852; 2175-6783

Few studies discuss, through participation and advocacy of HIV-positive individuals, situations involving conflict about their reproductive rights and the work of health care teams. This study aimed at understanding the motivations that led a serodiscordant woman to choose pregnancy, even being aware of the risks to mother and fetus. It’s a qualitative study, adopting the case study as a methodological strategy. The historical and dialectical materialism served as theoretical framework for the analysis. The discussions were based on the model of principlist bioethics. Reflections on autonomy point to a conflicting issue between individual rights and risks for the future baby; gender and power; feminine submission and dependence, and social stigma about the disease still prevails. We concluded that professionals should be based on actual historical and social conditions, providing autonomy and recognizing rights and cultural values of those involved.