Abstract
BackgroundEffective contraceptive practices amongst HIV-positive women of reproductive age have been shown to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV by preventing unplanned pregnancies. However, most antiretroviral therapy (ART) programmes focus on treatment, neglecting comprehensive contraceptive services. This results in a high frequency of pregnancies amongst HIV-positive women attending the ART clinic of a regional hospital north of Durban.ObjectivesThis research aimed to explore contraceptive use amongst HIV-positive women attending an ART clinic by determining, (1) prevalence of contraceptive use, (2) pregnancy rate, (3) contraceptive preferences and (4) factors associated with contraceptive use.MethodsIn this observational, analytical, cross-sectional study of 420 women, aged 15 to 49 years, participants were selected by systematic random sampling. They completed standardised questionnaires.ResultsOf all participants, 95% of the participants used contraception. Factors associated with contraceptive practice were knowledge of HIV status 292 (72.8%), health worker advice 84 (20.9%), and spousal insistence 33 (8.2%). Of the 130 women (31%) who had fallen pregnant whilst on ART, 73 (56.2%) said that the pregnancy had been unplanned, whilst 57 (43.8%) had wanted to fall pregnant because of: partner's insistence (45.6%), desire for a child (36.8%), desire to conceal HIV status (15.8%), not wanting to die childless (5.3%), and death of a previous child (1.8%).ConclusionContraceptive use amongst these women was high but the number of pregnancies is a cause for concern. Information regarding contraceptive use should therefore be provided at all ART clinics.
Highlights
Women account for half of the estimated 31.3 million adults living with HIV and AIDS worldwide, the majority of whom are in their reproductive years.[1,2,3] Globally more than 2 million HIV-positive women fall pregnant each year,[4] with up to 600 000 dying of pregnancy-related complications annually, mostly in resource-constrained settings.[4]
Studies from across Africa show that many pregnancies are unplanned, and that maternal deaths can be avoided if correct and consistent contraceptive use is promoted amongst women of childbearing age living with HIV and AIDS
The questionnaire consisted of two parts, Part 1 dealing with socio-demographic characteristics and Part 2 exploring contraceptive practices
Summary
Women account for half of the estimated 31.3 million adults living with HIV and AIDS worldwide, the majority of whom are in their reproductive years.[1,2,3] Globally more than 2 million HIV-positive women fall pregnant each year,[4] with up to 600 000 dying of pregnancy-related complications annually, mostly in resource-constrained settings.[4] Many HIV-infected women are sexually active[5] and increase or resume sexual activity as their health improves whilst on antiretroviral therapy (ART).[6] Studies from across Africa show that many pregnancies are unplanned, and that maternal deaths can be avoided if correct and consistent contraceptive use is promoted amongst women of childbearing age living with HIV and AIDS. Most antiretroviral therapy (ART) programmes focus on treatment, neglecting comprehensive contraceptive services.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
