Background Malaysia is the first country in the Western Pacific Region to receive the validation certificate for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The validation report recommends making sexual and reproductive health and rights of women living with HIV a priority. This article explores and assesses the sexual and reproductive health, rights, and access to healthcare services of Malaysia’s women living with HIV (WLHIV).
Methods A qualitative secondary analysis conducted on 73 WLHIV from all over Malaysia comprised 11 in-depth interviews and 16 focus group discussions. Data were extracted from the original interview transcripts that emerged from the following questions: (1) “What are your experiences as a woman living with HIV in relation to your sexual and reproductive health and rights?” (2) “What are your experiences in accessing contraception?” (3) “What are your day-to-day experiences as a woman living with HIV?” Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results Four themes emerged from the study findings: “lack of negotiation,” “idealism in pregnancy,” “coping with restrictions,” and “past and future fears.” The four themes are grounded in religion, a patriarchal culture, meaning and expectations of motherhood, taking risks and going against medical advice to pursue fertility desires, fear of HIV transmission, and the side effects of contraceptive use.
Conclusion The complexities involved in decision-making regarding contraceptive use revealed how WLHIV may have unresolved reproductive health needs inconsistent with healthcare providers’ focus on HIV management and prevention. Suggestions are made for improving the sexual and reproductive health and rights of WLHIV in Malaysia, which include establishing a reproductive health counseling program.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
ReprodutHIVa: desenvolvimento e validação de aplicativo para o autocuidado de mulheres vivendo com HIV/aids Karyanna Alves de Alencar Rocha, Ana Luiza Carsoni Alves de Almeida, Victor Pereira Moura, Domingos Alves, Elucir Gir, Renata Karina Reis Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
ReproduHIVa: desarrollo y validación de una aplicación para el autocuidado de mujeres que viven con VIH/sida Karyanna Alves de Alencar Rocha, Ana Luiza Carsoni Alves de Almeida, Victor Pereira Moura, Domingos Alves, Elucir Gir, Renata Karina Reis Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
ReprodutHIVa: development and validation of an app for self-care for women living with HIV/AIDS Karyanna Alves de Alencar Rocha, Ana Luiza Carsoni Alves de Almeida, Victor Pereira Moura, Domingos Alves, Elucir Gir, Renata Karina Reis Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Reflecting on progress and challenges: the Korean Journal of Family Medicine in 2024 Seung-Won Oh Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2025; 46(2): 55. CrossRef
Reproductive coercion experienced by women living with HIV – a global scoping review Althea Wolfe, Keren Dunaway, Gnilane Turpin, Danielle Lonbong Njiometio, Uma Bhatt, Charity T. Mkona, Olena Stryzhak, Diana Weekes, Immaculate Owomugisha, Omar Syarif, Pim Looze, Jean De Dieu Anoubissi, Fletcher Chiu, Daria Ocheret, Laurel Sprague, Carlos Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Women’s Health and Primary Care Seung-Won Oh Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2024; 45(1): 1. CrossRef
Postpartum modern family planning among women living with HIV attending care at health facilities in Busia County, Kenya Florence Zawedde Tebagalika, Derrick Kimuli, Dennis Walusimbi, Edna Nyang’echi, Louisa Ndunyu Contraception and Reproductive Medicine.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the agent responsible for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, remains a worldwide public health problem. Therefore, this study aimed to assess Portuguese healthcare students’ knowledge of HIV, identify risk behaviors for HIV transmission, and assess the frequency of HIV testing and its dissemination by general practitioners.
Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using an anonymous questionnaire published online. The questionnaire was administered to Portuguese healthcare students who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study after clarifying its objectives and procedures.
Results Most students were aware of the three main HIV transmission routes; however, 66.3% were unaware of the level A recommendation for HIV screening in adolescents and adults. In addition, 59.6% of the students were never informed by their general practitioner about HIV screening tests or risk behaviors for HIV transmission. Of the sample, 78.9% had never been tested for HIV infection. Of the 74.6% of sexually active students, 82.0% had or had already had unprotected sex (without a condom). Men showed riskier sexual behaviors than women. None of the inquiries reported intravenous drug use, and most students (69.9%) never shared personal objects.
Conclusion General practitioners and awareness campaigns need to alert and disseminate HIV screening tests. Sexual health and risk behaviors should be addressed more frequently in schools to educate this population because prevention is the best strategy against HIV transmission/contraction.
Citations
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Evaluation of community pharmacy outreach events to promote screening for human immunodeficiency virus Destanie Truman, Robert Nichols, Stevie Veach, Enas M. Yehya, Matthew Witry JAPhA Practice Innovations.2026; 3(3): 100107. CrossRef
Sexual awareness, high-risk sexual behaviors and HIV testing: a cross-sectional survey among university students in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Hualing Li, Qi Wu, Qinghan Li, Enze Gao, Dehui Yin Frontiers in Public Health.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
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