Motivation for Childbearing in HIV-Infected Women

Motivators for having a baby
1. I would like to have a baby even though I have HIV so I can leave something of value if I die.
2. A baby would be a positive influence in my life right now.
3. I want a baby because it will be someone to love.
4. My husband or partner wants a baby.
5. Having a baby would give me someone that really loves me.
6. If I had a baby and got real sick, my family would give the baby a good home.
7. I want to have a baby even though I am HIV positive because I want to leave part of myself to my husband or partner as a gift.
8. Even if I am HIV positive, if I get pregnant it is my God's will that I have a/another baby.

Deterrents for having a baby
9. I wouldn't want to have a baby because I would have to leave it alone if I get real sick or die.*
10. It wouldn't be fair to my family to have a baby that they will have to care for and raise.*
11. If I had a baby, it would most likely get sick.*
12. Having a baby would put too much stress on my body now.*
13. Because I am in good health, having a baby will make me become ill.*

Response Options:
4-point Likert scale
Strongly disagree - 1
Strongly agree - 4

*Items are reverse scored

Items scores are summed to create the total measure score, ranging from 13 to 52. Higher scores indicate higher motivation to have children.

PRIMARY CITATION:

Sowell, R. L., Phillips, K. D., & Misener, T. R. (1999). HIV-Infected women and motivation to add children to their families. Journal of Family Nursing, 5(3), 316-331. https://doi.org/10.1177/107484079900500305