The Mental Health Problems of HIV Positive Mothers During Pregnancy and After Giving Birth in Mekelle Hospital

Abstract

HIV positive pregnant mothers experienced a double burden as a result of having a virus in their blood and the child-bearing. There is high probability of transferring the virus from the pregnant mothers during conception and at the time of giving birth to the child; especially if there is no good care from health professionals and family. Therefore, the intention of the research was to know the psychological distress and subjective burden among mothers during pregnancy and after giving birth. A case study method with cross sectional research design was employed in order to collect the qualitative data from the 30 available pregnant mothers for ART and checkup in the hospital. The mothers were with different family backgrounds, educational level and socio-economic statuses. Mothers faced with different psychological problems like, depression, anxiety, PTSD, stigma and discrimination from their family and the society in general. Mothers were highly worried, depressed and anxious as well as disturbed by the bad memories of their past life experiences while infected by the virus.