Sonnenberg-Schwan U, Jaeger U, Reuter H, Hammel G; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1993 Jun 6-11; 9: 524 (abstract no. PO-B35-2332).
KIS-Curatorium for Immunedeficiency, Munich, Germany.
OBJECTIVES: The strong wish for parenthood is a need often expressed by young heterosexual couples in which the male partner is seropositive and the female seronegative. Unprotected sexual intercourse is often factive in order to achieve this goal. Recent scientific research bears new hope for these couples: By means of artificial insemination with the partner's processed semen the risk of infection for mother and child can be drastically reduced. Several uninfected children have been born (Italy: 10, Germany: 3) after application of this treatment. The impact of this new prospective and treatment on the couples' psychological and psychosocial situation, their objective and subjective physical condition and the change in their perspectives of life are studied. Psychotherapeutic and medical counselling is offered. Periodical meetings of the study group were established to enhance mutual social support. METHODS: Since October 1991 n = 20 HIV-discordant couples seeking counselling and undergoing treatment are investigated from the moment of decision for the insemination up to one year after childbirth. Data are collected by means of standardized and semi-standardized questionnaires and structured interviews referring to socio-demographic background, psychological and physical state, stress factors, motivations, perspectives and planning of life and social support. RESULTS: 33% of the women and more than 50% of the men with an unfulfilled wish for parenthood face severe emotional distress on nearly all psychometric scales. Both partners report a range of problems including depression (57%), anxiety (57%), aggressive impulses (65%), feelings of loneliness (44%), psychosomatic disorders (44%), thoughts about death or dying (65%). Social support by families of origin is often low. The prospective of treatment causes great psychological relief, perspectives of life and planning of the future become more optimistic. An individual one year observation of one successfully treated couple shows a high reduction of psychological distress during participation in the study. The inclination to inform social partners about the infection as well as the access to the system of AIDS-counselling increased during the time of participation. However, long waiting periods due to lack of treatment capacities or disappointing medical results produce new strain and require psychotherapeutic support. All couples refrain from unprotected sexual intercourse. DISCUSSION: This study shall provide information and guiding for clinicians, psychotherapists and counsellors dealing with the complex question of parenthood of seropositive clients and their partners and facing their often severe emotional strain. It is shown that the prospective of treatment has a strong preventive impact. As the strong wish for parenthood is still quite often a reason for neglecting condom use, it is necessary to spread information about research on artificial insemination. Furthermore, treatment capacities need to be increased and decentralized in order to be accessible for more couples.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Child
- Counseling
- Female
- Germany
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Insemination, Artificial
- Insemination, Artificial, Homologous
- Italy
- Longitudinal Studies
- Male
- Semen
- Spermatozoa
Other ID:
UI: 102205347
From Meeting Abstracts