Predictors of repeat pregnancy among HIV-1-infected women.
BACKGROUND
In the Women and Infants Transmission Study (WITS), a prospective cohort study of HIV-infected pregnant women at six US mainland and Puerto Rican sites, changes in the HIV-1 epidemic have included higher income, better education, and better-controlled HIV disease among more recently enrolled women. Because these changes may alter the reproductive patterns of these women an awareness of these women's current reproductive behaviors is essential. We examined predictors of repeat pregnancy among HIV-1-infected women enrolled in the Women and Infants Transmission Study (WITS).


METHODS
Women enrolled in WITS without a history of sterilization were included. Using bivariate and multivariate analyses, predictors of a repeat pregnancy were modeled. Changes in risk factors for repeat pregnancy over time were examined and important predictors of repeat pregnancy were determined.


RESULTS
Of 2246 eligible women, 22% had more than one WITS-enrolled pregnancy. In bivariate analyses, risk of repeat pregnancy was associated with younger age, lower educational status, higher CD4%, and lower viral loads. There was little change in risk factors for repeat pregnancy over time.


CONCLUSIONS
HIV-1-infected women who are younger and healthier are more likely to have more than one pregnancy. Factors associated with repeat pregnancy among HIV-1-infected women have remained stable over time. Awareness of these factors will better equip healthcare providers to address the reproductive needs of HIV-1-infected women.
Bryant
Allison S
AS
University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. bryanta@obgyn.ucsf.edu
Leighty
Robert M
RM
Shen
XianLin
X
Read
Jennifer S
JS
Brouwers
Pim
P
Turpin
Delmyra B
DB
LaRussa
Philip S
PS
Pacheco-Acosta
Edna
E
Paul
Mary E
ME
Vajaranant
Mark
M
Tuomala
Ruth E
RE
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000821:virology*