Van Zyl, CorneliaVisser, M.J. (Maretha Johanna)2015-09-142015-09-142015-09Van Zyl, C & Visser, MJ 2015, 'Reproductive desires of men and women living with HIV : implications for family planning counselling', Reproductive BioMedicine Online, vol. 31, pp. 434-442.1472-6483 (print)1472-6491 (online)10.1016/j.rbmo.2015.06.004http://hdl.handle.net/2263/49819The reproductive desires of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) of low socioeconomic standing attending public health facilities in South Africa were studied. HIV-positive men, pregnant and non-pregnant women were recruited from two clinics at a large public hospital in Tshwane, South Africa. Individual interviews were used to explore the reproductive desires of HIV-positive participants. HIV counsellors’ perceptions of their clients’ reproductive desires were explored during focus group discussions. Parenthood proved to be an important factor to all participants in continuation of the family and establishing their gender identities, despite the possible risk of HIV transmission and community stigmatization. Different cultural procreation rules for men and women and stigmatizing attitudes towards PLHIV affected their reproductive decision making. Women had the dilemma of choosing which community expectations they wanted to fulfil. Community stigmatization towards PLHIV was visible in the negative attitudes of some HIV counsellors regarding HIV and procreation. Because the reproductive desires of PLHIV are currently not given high priority in HIV prevention and family planning in the public health sector in South Africa, the prevention of HIV transmission may be jeopardized. These results necessitate the integration of HIV and sexual and reproductive health counselling on a primary health care levelen© 2015 Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Notice : this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Reproductive BioMedicine Online. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Reproductive BioMedicine Online, vol. 31, pp. 434-442, 2015. doi : 10.1016/j.rbmo.2015.06.004.CounsellingFamily planningReproductive ageReproductive desiresRisk reducing interventionsHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV)Postprint Article