An international survey of HIV-positive women looks at issues of sexual and reproductive health and human rights, according to a press release by the Salamander Trust, which spearheaded the 2014 survey and the resulting report, titled Building a Safe House on Firm Ground.

Key findings were presented this month in Geneva at a World Health Organization (WHO) meeting. The WHO commissioned the project in order to gain a better understanding of the values and needs of women living with the virus. The WHO will soon begin updating its 2006 guidelines on the subject.

Salamander Trust highlighted these findings from the report:

Violence: 89% of the respondents reported experiencing or fearing gender-based violence before, during and/or after HIV diagnosis.

Abuses: Respondents told stories of human rights abuses in health care settings as well as at home.

Criminalization: Respondents said fear of being criminalized had negative impacts on their health.

Mental health: Over 80 percent of respondents reported experiences of depression, shame and feelings of rejection. Over 75 percent reported insomnia and difficulty sleeping, self-blame, very low self-esteem, loneliness, body image issues, or anxiety, fear or panic attacks, whether before, as a direct result of, or after, diagnosis.

Health staff response: The attitudes and practices of health staff are key to women’s ability to copy with the diagnosis of HIV, especially when made during pregnancy.

Healthy sex-life and healthy motherhood: These can be achieved when women living with HIV are supported by partner, communities, health staff and other women living with HIV.