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The article “Exploring the Intersection of Mental and Reproductive Health Among Women Living with HIV in Spain: A Qualitative Secondary Data Analysis” has been published by members of GRIVIS (Nursing Research Group on Vulnerability and Health) from the Department of Nursing at the Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, in collaboration with researchers from the NURECARE group at IGTP in Badalona. This study delves into the interplay between mental health and reproductive decisions among women living with HIV in Spain, addressing a topic of significant social and healthcare relevance.

Women living with HIV face a complex reality shaped by stigma, discrimination, and fear of virus transmission, particularly when contemplating motherhood. Based on interviews with 26 women receiving care at a public hospital in Badalona, the study reveals that an HIV diagnosis often represents an emotional rupture and a redefinition of personal identity. For many participants, motherhood emerges as an opportunity to regain a sense of normalcy and rebuild themselves, while also being a source of anxiety due to uncertainty and lack of support.

The findings highlight four major areas of impact. First, the emotional fragmentation experienced after diagnosis influences how motherhood is perceived and how sexual and reproductive health is managed. Second, women develop coping strategies to protect both their children and themselves, such as strict adherence to treatment or the negotiation of sexual relationships. Third, the lack of emotional support—both familial and professional—intensifies feelings of isolation and may exacerbate mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Lastly, emotions and mental well-being play a central role in the desire to become a mother, as motherhood is experienced as a source of hope and a means to overcome stigma and reclaim normalcy.

The study underscores the need to integrate nursing care in mental health into care for women living with HIV, offering spaces for emotional support and reliable information about motherhood. Such an approach would foster more humane, person-centered care that acknowledges women’s strength and resilience.