The Year-Long Effect of HIV-Positive Test Results on Pregnancy Intentions, Contraceptive Use, and Pregnancy Incidence Among Malawian Women

Abstract

With knowledge of their HIV-positive status, women were less likely to desire future pregnancies. Pregnancy incidence was lower among women not desiring future children. Integration of VCT, FP, and HIV care could prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission.

HIV/AIDS and contraceptive use: factors associated with contraceptive use among sexually active HIV-positive women in Kenya

“…This is consistent with existing sociological theories which have long recognized that an individual's health-seeking behavior is influenced not only by individual risk factors, but also by the social context/environment. [25,26] The observed positive association between perceived HIV risk and contraceptive uptake is consistent with previous studies which suggest that being HIV-positive is associated with increased desire to stop childbearing, [4,6] an important predictor of contraceptive uptake.…”

“…[1,2] It has been noted that HIV-positive women have special concerns regarding family planning, which calls for research to better understand contraceptive behavior and needs of women living with HIV. [3] Many HIV-positive women desire to stop childbearing and prevent pregnancy, [4,5,6] but unintended pregnancies are as common among this group as among HIV-negative women. [7,8,9] Unintended pregnancies among HIV-positive women are of particular concern as this poses risks for maternal and child health.…”

“…[14] An improved understanding of factors associated with contraceptive use among HIV-positive women can, therefore, help inform appropriate family planning policies, programmes and training of healthcare workers to ensure comprehensive service provision without stigma or prejudice. [13] A C C E P T E D M A N U S C R I P T ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT 4 The association between HIV/AIDS and contraceptive use in sub-Saharan Africa has recently received considerable research attention but patterns have remained unclear, with significant variations across countries. [15,16] Some studies have shown HIV-positive status to be associated with low fertility intentions and at the same time low contraceptive use.…”

Sexual relations and childbearing decisions of HIV-discordant couples: an exploratory study in South Africa and Tanzania

“…37 Factors influencing fertility desire included the belief that their partner wanted children, young age, relatives' expectations and knowledge of treatment effectiveness. 37 Similar to other studies 33,39 our study shows that reproductive intentions of discordant couples are shaped by complex personal, interpersonal, medical and health care factors. The desire and intention to have children often conflict with safer sex imperatives, preventing HIV transmission, and other HIV-related concerns.…”

“…21,[33][34][35][36] In this exploratory study, the majority of couples without children desired to have children, supporting the findings of other studies regarding the desire for children among people living with HIV. 33,[37][38][39][40][41] An Ethiopian study of 460 HIV-positive individuals reported strong associations between parity, age, marriage or current relationship, and the desire to have children. 41 A survey among 114 mutually disclosed sero-discordant couples in Kampala, Uganda found that 59% desired to have children.…”