Abstract
BackgroundThere is global recognition of the reproductive health rights of people living with HIV (PLHIV). The aim of this research study was to explore the reproductive choices, and the factors influencing these choices, of HIV positive patients attending primary health care (PHC) facilities in the Ekurhuleni health district of the Gauteng Province of South Africa.MethodsDuring 2013, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Ekurhuleni health district. At each of three randomly selected community health centres, a random sample of HIV positive patients was selected. After informed consent was obtained, trained fieldworkers administered a structured questionnaire that elicited information on socio-demographics, reproductive choices and knowledge of reproductive options. Survey data were analysed using STATA® 13.ResultsThe majority of survey participants (n = 430) were female (70%) and unemployed (57%). The mean age of participants was 36.4 years (SD 8.6): 40.8 years (SD 8.7) for men and 34.5 years (SD7.8) for women.Among survey participants, 46% expressed a desire for children (95% CI: 41.4–50.9). In the multiple logistic regression analysis, predictors of desire for children were age less than 49 years, marriage or living together, and no biological children. The odds of wanting children was 16.48 [95% CI: 5.94–45.74] times higher for PLHIV without children, compared with those with two or more children, while for those less than 25 years, the odds of wanting children was 0.78 [95% CI: 0.23–2.59] compared with those older than 50 years.The PLHIV knowledge on the available reproductive options was limited, with the majority relying on the guidance of the health workers.ConclusionHealth care providers at PHC level should be educated to address the reproductive health needs of PLHIV. These aspects should be reflected in provincial and national health policies.
Highlights
There is global recognition of the reproductive health rights of people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (PLHIV)
The HIV & Acquired Immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic continues to rank among the top ten priority conditions that contribute to the global disease burden [1], with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 66% of the global HIV burden [2]
South Africa continues to be a priority country for intervention [4], with an estimated 6.4 million People Living with HIV (PLHIV) [5,6,7,8,9]
Summary
There is global recognition of the reproductive health rights of people living with HIV (PLHIV). The HIV & AIDS epidemic continues to rank among the top ten priority conditions that contribute to the global disease burden [1], with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 66% of the global HIV burden [2]. South Africa continues to be a priority country for intervention [4], with an estimated 6.4 million People Living with HIV (PLHIV) [5,6,7,8,9]. The WHO has indicated that the unmet need for family planning remains high among HIV positive women, and has emphasised the strengthening of linkages between HIV and sexual and reproductive health programmes [4]
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