title: High risk behaviour and fertility desires among heterosexual HIV-positive patients with a serodiscordant partner--two challenging issues.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate fertility intentions and condom use among HIV-positive persons.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multicentre study based on anonymous data collection (questionnaire).
  
  
  RESULTS
  114 questionnaires providing complete information were evaluated. 45% of HIV-positive women and 38% of HIV-positive men expressed the desire for children. Irrespective of this wish, half the study participants felt that health care providers would not sufficiently address their concerns regarding relationship, sexuality and fertility intentions. In HIV-discordant heterosexual couples, consistent condom use was mentioned by 73% of respondents. Among study participants no significant relationship between HAART, viral load and inconsistent condom use was found. In contrast, information on condom use obtained from the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS), where the information is obtained by interview, gave higher estimates (88%) of consistent condom use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A significant proportion of HIV-infected individuals express a wish for parenthood. Issues related to fertility intentions and sexual relations need to be addressed more frequently by health care providers. Non-anonymous data collection on condom use may underestimate high risk behaviour.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Panozzo
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Battegay
authors.forename: Andree
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Friedl
authors.forename: Pietro L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Vernazza
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology*; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012098:Reproduction; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*