HIV/AIDS, Pregnancy And Reproductive Autonomy: Rights And Duties

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Also Included In: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Article Date: 10 Mar 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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In the hardest hit countries of Sub Saharan Africa, more than 60% of all new HIV infections are occurring in women, infants and young children. Mother-to-child transmission constitutes 90% of new HIV infections among infants and young children. Most of these infections can be prevented.

A special issue of Developing World Bioethics, published this week, offers a thought provoking discussion concerning the intersection of HIV/AIDS and pregnancy; and highlights a number of issues which raise many difficult and contentious ethical, legal and human rights concerns regarding how we ought to initiate standards for protecting reproductive autonomy, especially for pregnant women, in the era of HIV/AIDS.

The special issue findings offer concrete suggestions and guidance to policy makers and health providers on how to develop and achieve synergy between public health goals and ethical and human rights in the face of increasing availability of HIV testing and antiretroviral therapy.

WILEY - BLACKWELL
John Wiley & Sons Ltd
The Atrium
Southern Gate
Chichester
http://www.blackwellpublishing.com