Reproductive decisions among people living with human T-cell lymph tropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1)

• Grant number: 13/50653-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants - Publications - Scientific article
• Start date: October 01, 2013
• End date: March 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Public Health
• Principal Investigator: Jorge Simao do Rosario Casseb
• Grantee: Jorge Simao do Rosario Casseb
• Host Institution: Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo (IMT). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

HTL V-1 infection is a neglected public health problem. The majority of carriers is asymptomatic and may have a low risk of developing related diseases. The aims of this study were to discuss reproductive decisions of women and men living with HTL V-1 to assess their perception of infection and associated diseases, expectations regarding MTCT, and whether health care conditions may affect their reproductive decisions. A qualitative study with 13 adult HTL V-1-seropositive subjects without co-infections. For data analysis, life history trajectories and categories of discourse were constructed for each respondent. Reproductive decisions required the reassessment of life projects in the new context of HTLV-1 infection. Thus, a child remains representative of a "new meaning to life". There is a need for accurate information regarding the risk of MTCT and the transmission risk to a serodiscordant partner white trying to conceive. It was also observed that a couple's relationship and emotional dynamics were crucial in the process of making reproductive decisions. It was emphasized that the inhibition oi breastfeeding was seen as a reliable method in preventing transmission, favoring the decision to neve a child. Reproductive decisions were influenced by information transmitted by healthcare providers that only rarely does a person with HTL V-1 become sick due to the infection. Because this infection is incurable, reproductive decisions are crucial. The importance of reproductive decisions highlight the need for accurate information dissemination and infection prevention, perhaps only made thorough effective interdisciplinary means. (AU)