Experiences of Pregnant Women With a Positive HIV Status in Sub-Saharan Africa: Protocol for a Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization reports that HIV and AIDS remain a significant public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa, which hosts over 60% of the global population of people living with HIV. Among these, there were 1.2 million pregnant women with HIV in 2023 who likely experienced challenges related to the pregnancy itself, the fear of infecting their newborn babies, and issues related to HIV stigma and disclosure. However, their experiences have not been summarized to inform tailored interventions to assist them in their journey to delivery.

Objective: This scoping review aims to synthesize the existing evidence related to the experiences of pregnant women with an HIV-positive status in sub-Saharan African countries.

Methods: A review of the relevant literature will be guided using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodological framework for scoping reviews. Studies will be eligible for inclusion if they report on reactions to a new HIV diagnosis and the management of these reactions. All eligible studies from 2014 to 2025 in English and French will be included. The following databases will be used for the search: PubMed, MEDLINE, EBSCOhost (CINAHL with Full Text), Scopus, and Web of Science. All identified records will be collated and uploaded into EndNote X21 for management. Eligible studies will be screened by 2 independent reviewers, and disagreements will be solved through discussion. Data extracted via a validated data extraction form developed for this review will be analyzed using content analysis and presented in a narrative format. NVivo (version 12) will be used to facilitate the data analysis process. This protocol is aligned with the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines.

Results: We will include studies on timely intervention with antiretroviral therapy, close medical monitoring, careful planning around delivery, and comprehensive support for both mother and child. The findings will be disseminated through medical education conferences and publications. The database search was completed in March 2025, and the results are expected to be published in December 2025.

Conclusions: This review will provide a comprehensive narrative of the experiences of pregnant women with a positive HIV status in sub-Saharan Africa and how they react when they are first diagnosed with HIV, as well as how they manage the news. It is anticipated that there will be evidence of mixed reactions to and balanced management of a new HIV diagnosis among pregnant women.

International registered report identifier (irrid): PRR1-10.2196/76971.

Keywords: HIV and AIDS; antenatal; experiences; pregnancy; sub-Saharan Africa.