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AIDS and Behavior
Published in: AIDS and Behavior 6/2014

01-06-2014 | Substantive Review

Mental Health of HIV-Seropositive Women During Pregnancy and Postpartum Period: A Comprehensive Literature Review

Authors: Suad Kapetanovic, Priscilla Dass-Brailsford, Diana Nora, Nicholas Talisman

Published in: AIDS and Behavior | Issue 6/2014

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Abstract

With growing numbers of HIV-seropositive (HIV+) women of child-bearing age and increased access to effective clinical protocols for preventing mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV, mental health-related factors have become increasingly relevant due to their potential to affect the women’s quality of life, obstetric outcomes and risk of MTCT. This review synthesizes evidence from 53 peer-reviewed publications examining mental health-related variables in pregnant and postpartum HIV+ women. The presentation of results is organized by the level of socioeconomic resources in the countries where studies were conducted (i.e., high-, middle-, and low-income countries). It is concluded that psychiatric symptoms, particularly depression, and mental health vulnerabilities (e.g., inadequate coping skills) are widespread among pregnant HIV+ women globally and have a potential to affect psychological well-being, quality of life and salient clinical outcomes. The current body of evidence provides rationale for developing and evaluating clinical and structural interventions aimed at improving mental health outcomes and their clinical correlates in pregnant HIV+ women.
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Metadata
Title
Mental Health of HIV-Seropositive Women During Pregnancy and Postpartum Period: A Comprehensive Literature Review
Authors
Suad Kapetanovic
Priscilla Dass-Brailsford
Diana Nora
Nicholas Talisman
Publication date
01-06-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
AIDS and Behavior / Issue 6/2014
Print ISSN: 1090-7165
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3254
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-014-0728-9

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