Models of care for women living with HIV in Europe: A scoping review

With the widespread availability of antiretroviral therapy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has become a chronic condition requiring long-term, integrated care. Women with HIV experience distinct clinical, reproductive, and psychosocial needs shaped by gender and social determinants. However, care models addressing these needs for women in Europe have not been comprehensively documented. In this scoping review, we aim to map existing literature on models of care for women with HIV in Europe and examine their key components and regional variation.

We searched the Ovid database to identify studies on care models for women with HIV in Europe from 2000 onwards. We further included national guidelines provided by the European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) country representatives. Two reviewers independently extracted data and synthesized findings using descriptive content analysis informed by the World Health Organization Social Determinants of Health framework.

Out of 8183 records screened, 17 studies and guidelines met inclusion criteria. Most originated from Western and Central Europe, with only one source from Eastern Europe. We identified 10 core components of women-responsive HIV services: co-design of services with women with HIV, healthcare provider training, tailored programming for women, gender-inclusive and culturally sensitive approaches, HIV/AIDS continuum of care, multidisciplinary integration of services, emotional and psychological support services, peer-support programmes, social support services and gender-specific HIV research. These components collectively addressed clinical management, psychosocial well-being and structural determinants influencing engagement and retention in care.

Effective HIV care for women in Europe requires integrated, life-course-oriented models beyond virological control, addressing psychosocial and structural determinants, while expanding women-centred services, particularly in Eastern Europe.