HIV in indigenous pregnant women: a challenge for peruvian public health

Abstract

This narrative review addresses the issue of indigenous pregnant women with HIV, recounting the main findings on the issue at the international level and then reviewing the status of research in Peru. Research at the international level on indigenous pregnant women focuses on the health of the unborn and the prevention of vertical transmission. There is little information about their conceptions of the disease, care practices and prevention of vertical transmission, and their perceptions of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) and the role of traditional medicine in the care of their health condition. At the national level only one bibliographic reference was found. There is evidence for the need of an urgent medical anthropological focus to investigate and deal with cases of HIV in pregnant women and women of reproductive age in indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon.