Modern Contraceptive and Dual Method Use among HIV-Infected Women in Lusaka, Zambia

Abstract

HIV-infected women in sub-Saharan Africa are at substantial risk of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Linkages between HIV and reproductive health services are advocated. We describe implementation of a reproductive health counseling intervention in 16 HIV clinics in Lusaka, Zambia. Between November 2009 and November 2010, 18,407 women on antiretroviral treatment (ART) were counseled. The median age was 34.6 years (interquartile range (IQR): 29.9–39.7), and 60.1% of women were married. The median CD4+ cell count was 394 cells/uL (IQR: 256–558). Of the women counseled, 10,904 (59.2%) reported current modern contraceptive use. Among contraceptive users, only 17.7% reported dual method use. After counseling, 737 of 7,503 women not previously using modern contraception desired family planning referrals, and 61.6% of these women successfully accessed services within 90 days. Unmet contraceptive need remains high among HIV-infected women. Additional efforts are needed to promote reproductive health, particularly dual method use.

Dual-Contraceptive Method Utilization and Associated Factors among HIV Positive Women Attending Art Clinic in Gebretsadik Shawo Hospital, SNNPR, South West Ethiopia

“…Free discussion with partner as well as with health professional and receiving counseling about dual contraceptive methods are associated with current dual contraceptive method utilization practice .HIV positive women who have open discussion with partner use dual contraceptive methods ten times more than women who have no discussion with their partners. This finding is similar with finding from Soweto South Africa and Lusaka Zambia [12,13], Uganda [10] and Adwa northern Ethiopia [14]. Most of the respondents in in-depth interview mentioned that even if they know the benefits of dual contraceptive method utilization and they wanted to use it, their partners were not volunteers to use it.…”

“…The finding of the study showed that 48 (19.8%) of the participants reported using dual-contraceptive methods currently and the finding is almost similar with finding from cohort study conducted on HIV Seropositive women in Lusaka Zambia 17.7% however, less than a crosssectional survey result in Soweto, South Africa on HIV-positive women which is (33%) [12,13].…”

Factors influencing the utilization of family planning services among HIV infected women in a Kenyan health facility

“…30 This finding however should be taken with concern, mainly because the usual assumption is that single and widowed women are not in need for contraceptive methods, yet the truth is that they may be engaging in unprotected sexual encounters, putting them at risk of STIs or unplanned pregnancies. 31 They therefore represent a vulnerable group in need of a direct and specific intervention.…”

Modern Contraceptive Utilization and Associated Factors among HIV Positive Women on Antiretroviral Therapy in Mizan-Tepi Teaching and Referral Hospital, South-West Ethiopia

“…Women who have more numbers of children are more likely to use modern contraceptives. Some studies argued that as women's age increase the likelihood to use modern contraceptive decrease [28].…”