Fertility Desire and Contraceptive Use: A Survey of People Living with HIV/AIDS in a Northern Nigerian Tertiary Health Centre

Abstract

Background: HIV infection remains a major public health problem worldwide. Many people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) belong to reproductive age group and live in areas with high demand for children. There is a challenge to balance the desire for fertility, contraceptive use, and viral transmission.

Objective: To determine the fertility desire and contraceptive use among people living with HIV/AIDS in a Northern Nigerian Tertiary Health Centre.

Methods and Material: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study involving 350 PLWHA aged 18-49 years attending antiretroviral clinic who were recruited using stratified sampling technique. Data on socio demographic characteristics, reproductive history, fertility desire, fertility intention, contraceptive use, health status and perceived health and HIV transmission knowledge were obtained and subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis.

Results: Majority of the respondents were females (68.6%), married (58.6%), and aged 15-40 years (81.2%). Overall fertility desire was 67.4% and fertility intention 60.3%, while 40.3% of respondents’ partners desired fertility. Predictors of fertility included male sex (AOR= 3.57, p=0.004), single (AOR= 3.28, p=0.014), ART treatment (AOR=4.68. p<0.001), partners’ fertility desire (AOR=17.68, p<0.001), and wanting at least a child (AOR=4.96, p<0.001). Short- acting modern contraceptives were used by most (59.5%) of the respondents, notably male condom (35.1%).

Conclusion: The males and unmarried were more likely to desire fertility than their female counterparts. Male condom was the most commonly used modern contraceptives. Positive predictors of fertility desire included adherence to antiretroviral therapy, knowledge that antiretroviral therapy adherence could make viral load undetectable, partners’ fertility desire, and wanting at least a child.