Fertility desire and utilization of family planning methods among HIV-positive women attending a tertiary hospital in a suburban setting in Northern Nigeria

• Main Authors: A O Ashimi, T G Amole, M Y Abubakar, E A Ugwa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2017-01-01
• Series: Tropical Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• Subjects: Fertility desire; HIV; family planning; Northern Nigeria
• Online Access: http://www.tjogonline.com/article.asp?issn=0189-5117;year=2017;volume=34;issue=1;spage=54;epage=60;aulast=Ashimi

Background: One of the pillars of prevention of Mother to child transmission (MTCT) of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) involves prevention of pregnancy or delaying pregnancy until when it is desired in HIV-positive women. This study aimed to assess fertility desire, utilization of family planning method, and predictors for use of contraception among women living with HIV. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, carried out at the Federal Medical Centre Birnin Kudu, Jigawa state, Nigeria. Using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, the fertility desire, utilization, and predictors of use of modern contraceptive methods was assessed among 330 HIV-positive women attending the hospital specialist clinic. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Results: Majority (n = 250; 75.8%) of the respondents desired to have more children, out of which 100 (40%) desired to have more than 6 children each while 80 women (24.2%) no longer wanted more children. Sixty-eight (20.6%) respondents had a change in fertility intention since diagnosed as HIV positive. The use of family planning methods was significantly associated with having formal education, being married, and being of the Christian faith (P < 0.05). The odds of using a family planning method was about 4 times less among women with informal education (P = 0.002, OR = 3.819; 95% CI (Confidence Interval) = 1.657–9.139); while the odds was 3 times higher among married women (P = 0.032, OR = 0.258; 95% CI = 0.075–0.888). Conclusion: Women living with HIV have different reproductive intentions with majority desirous of childbearing, hence they should be supported either to space their births or limit child bearing to reduce the risk of MTCT of HIV.