Fertility preferences, condom use, and concerns among HIV-positive women in serodiscordant relationships in the era of antiretroviral therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To assess preferences and concerns about infecting partner or child among HIV-positive women undergoing antiretroviral therapy and whose partners are HIV-negative.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional study conducted in Nigeria, 55 HIV-positive women undergoing antiretroviral therapy and married to seronegative men answered an anonymous questionnaire regarding whether they preferred to conceive naturally or by means of an assisted reproductive technique (ART).


RESULTS
Compared with older women (mean age 33.6+/-5.1 years), younger women (mean age, 29.8+/-3.9 years) were significantly more likely to choose natural conception than ART (P=0.02). Moreover, whereas 23 respondents (48.9%) reported consistent condom use, 11 (23.4%) reported never using condoms after initiation of antiretroviral therapy. There was a significant difference in the consistent use of condoms between those who preferred natural conception and those who preferred ART (56.8% vs 20%, P=0.049).


CONCLUSIONS
With improving immunologic and clinical status once antiretroviral therapy is initiated, HIV-positive women wishing to become pregnant may engage in risky sexual practices. This trend needs to be addressed because of its consequences for public health.
Ezeanochie
Michael
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria. ezemichael75@yahoo.com
Olagbuji
Biodun
B
Ande
Adedapo
A
Oboro
Victor
V
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D027724:Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents