Prevention of the heterosexual HIV infection among women: Is it possible to think about strategies without considering their reproductive demands?

ABSTRACT

This article aims to discuss the prevention of the heterosexual HIV infection among women, considering and relationship between this practice and their reproductive demands, based on a critical analysis of the recent literature on the issue. It is assumed the relative exhaustion in the discourse about male condom use in all sexual relations, and the need to recognize that for many women in childbearing age, HIV prevention cannot be dissociated of the contraception practices, although the symbolic and technologically distinction between them. Furthermore, not always the contexts in which the sex occurs allows preventive practices. Women are different, and also their risks, vulnerabilities and needs, and this differences must be identified. The adequacy of preventive strategies to their particularities and situations experienced by each requires an effort of incorporation of available scientific knowledge to the actions taken by the health services, as well as conducting research on specific points relating to heterosexual practices.

Keywords:
Disease Prevention; Gender and Health; Women; Condoms; Contraception; Sexuality