Personal views about womanhood amongst women living with HIV in Botswana.

The social construction of womanhood in Africa can be said to have two central defining elements: being a wife and being a mother. The interplay between HIV and these elements is not well understood outside of prevention efforts. We conducted a qualitative study of womanhood in Botswana; specifically the sexual and reproductive lives of women living with HIV.

Reproductive behaviour among women on antiretroviral therapy in Botswana: mismatched pregnancy plans and contraceptive use.

Understanding pregnancy planning and contraceptive use is important in preventing unplanned/unwanted pregnancies among women on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Through a cross-sectional survey of 155 women living with HIV on ART in Botswana (mean age = 36), bivariate/multivariate analyses were used to identify and understand pregnancy planning and contraceptive use. Women who did not plan to have a child (n = 85) were older, less educated, had more children and worried about stigmatisation from family and healthcare workers (HCWs).

Sexual and reproductive health needs of HIV-positive women in Botswana - a study of health care worker's views.

Botswana's HIV prevalence is one of the highest in the world at 31.8% in the 15-49 years antenatal population. Being HIV-positive for a woman presents unique challenges with regard to sexuality, child bearing, and partner relations.