Coincidental discovery of HIV and pregnancy positive status in primary healthcare facilities.
Morongwa R Sekele, Mygirl P Lowane, Mathildah Mokgatle
PMID 38949424WHAT IT FOUND
Women who learned they were HIV-positive and pregnant at the same visit described shock, disbelief, fear of infecting the baby, and grief.
Some described moving toward acceptance as they learned about treatment, saw family living with HIV, or thought of their children.
Key findings
01Participants described shock, disbelief, and difficulty accepting that they were both HIV-positive and pregnant.
02A major worry was transmitting HIV to the unborn child, along with fear about their own future and who would care for the child if they became ill.
03Many moved from shock and denial toward acceptance, and some were motivated by learning from family members already living with HIV.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study used purposive sampling in one rural South African district and three clinics, so the reactions may not transfer to other settings. All participants were already on ART at interview, so their accounts were retrospective and may not capture immediate reactions at diagnosis. Some sociodemographic data were missing because of non-response. The study explored experiences and did not test whether counselling, disclosure support, or social work referral improved outcomes. Findings are based on interviews with women willing to speak about a sensitive diagnosis, which may exclude those who were too distressed or unwilling.
Declared interests
The authors reported no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that these experiences show how effective counselling or social support is. The study describes how women reacted after simultaneous HIV and pregnancy diagnosis; it did not test an intervention or measure maternal, infant, adherence, or mental health outcomes.