THE REPRODUCTIVE CAREERS OF A COHORT OF MEN AND WOMEN FOLLOWING AN HIV-POSITIVE DIAGNOSIS

This report examines the consequences of a positive HIV diagnosis upon the reproductive decision-making of 39 men and women in Scotland. Whi lst the majority initially decide never to have any (more) children th is sometimes changes as other factors gain ascendancy, such as a partn er wanting 'their' child, and about one-third had had a child or were intending to do so. The motivations underlying such decisions are disc ussed and ways in which health services could intervene to support peo ple with HIV in making reproductive choices and to minimise the risk o f transmission to an HIV-negative partner and the child are suggested.