Enough children: reproduction, risk and "unmet need" among people receiving antiretroviral treatment in western Uganda.
In this paper, we use survey (n = 87) and interview (n = 30) data to investigate orientations towards future childbearing among people receiving antiretroviral treatment and their family members in western Uganda. We investigate how reproductive options are perceived, by those receiving treatment and those closest to them, and consider what these perceptions suggest about the existence of an "unmet need" for birth control for women with HIV. While most people say they do not wish to have more children while on treatment, this intention coexists with contradictory desires for the benefits and happiness that more children might bring. We argue that the factors influencing birth desires and outcomes are so complex and contradictory that it is virtually impossible to predict demand or uptake of birth control as more and more people with AIDS in Africa gain the ability to access antiretroviral treatment.
Department of Sociology, University of Alberta, Uganda. akaler@ualberta.ca
Amy
A
Kaler
Arif
A
Alibhai
Walter
W
Kipp
Joseph
J
Konde-Lule
Tom
T
Rubaale
D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001290:Attitude; D003267:Contraception / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D043762:Reproductive Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D014454:Uganda
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents