The Reproductive Healthcare Disparities Among Women Living with HIV in Developing Countries

Overview

HIV or human immunodeficiency virus is a chronic condition that attacks the immune system, and is commonly spread via sexual intercourse, shared injection equipment, or shared bodily fluids. It is less common for pregnant HIV positive women to transmit the virus to their baby, but it is still possible specifically, if they live in developing countries who lack antiretroviral treatments (ART)- a triple drug antiviral therapy that suppresses the virus over time. Globally, in 2016, almost 17.8 million women over the age of 15, were diagnosed with HIV. In 2018, roughly 82 percent of pregnant HIV+ women ,worldwide, had access to ART. In many developing countries, however, access to HIV treatments are limited, in part, due to the lack of government funding or the inequitable healthcare systems. In many cases, HIV positive women are disproportionately exposed to intersecting forms of stigma and bigotry from healthcare professionals who pre-emptively infringe upon their reproductive rights. The social stigmas coupled with having a chronic disease can lead to shame and isolation for women in developing countries who are hindered by the government policies, lack reproductive options (contraceptions, abortion), and are discriminated against in the healthcare system.