Background:
Namibia has challenges in the area of sexual and reproductive health and rights. Working with sexual and reproductive health care, midwives are an important facilitating factor for a better sexual and reproductive health in Namibia.
Aim:
To explore midwives’ perceptions of HIV-positive women's sexual and reproductive health and rights in urban Namibia.
Method:
A qualitative study with ten midwives at a hospital in Windhoek. Individual interviews were done using an interview guide. The method used for analysis was phenomenography. The phenomenon being studied was the sexual and reproductive health and rights of HIV-positive women and the phenomenon was studied through the perceptions of midwives.
Findings:
The midwives perceived that improvements of HIV-positive women’s reproductive health were obstructed. The midwives perceived that the HIV-positive women’s reproductive possibilities and decisions were related to HIV. According to the midwives’ perceptions, sexual relations could be complicated by HIV and it was difficult for HIV-positive women to use condoms.
Conclusion:
The findings of this study can be used to reflect on the current situation for HIV-positive women in Namibia. The midwives' perceptions highlight the need to reduce the remaining stigma related to HIV and to work towards the empowerment of HIV-positive women.