title: Reproductive patterns and fertility wishes among HIV-infected patients: survey from six outpatient clinics in Denmark.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Reproductive patterns among HIV patients in Denmark have not previously been described. We aimed to uncover the fertility wishes among Danish HIV-infected persons.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was done at six outpatient HIV clinics in Denmark. A total of 409 (56%) HIV patients returned the questionnaire; 323 had completed the questionnaire, although they had not all responded to all of the questions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among HIV-infected individuals, 49% (137/280) had their own biological children. Fifteen percent (43/280) desired (additional) children and 15% (43/280) were undecided. Female gender, birth outside Europe, young age, completed high school education, heterosexuality, present partner, and non-disclosure were associated with a desire for children in the univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis only young age, heterosexual orientation, and non-disclosure were significant. Thirty-seven percent (93/250) felt that HIV infection was a hindrance to having more children. The most common reasons indicated were fear of HIV transmission to the child (24%, 59/244) and to the partner (16%, 40/244).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many HIV-infected patients have children and a substantial proportion of HIV-infected patients desire (additional) children, although there is a high degree of fear of HIV transmission to their partner or child. This highlights the need for care providers to improve the services provided to HIV-infected patients who desire to have children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Brendstrupgaardsvej, Skejby, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.
authors.forename: Tinne
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Laursen
authors.forename: Ulrik Schiøler
authors.initials: US
authors.lastname: Kesmodel
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Højgaard
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Østergaard
authors.forename: Hans Jakob
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Ingerslev
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wejse
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012098:Reproduction; D021841:Safe Sex; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents
keywords: Children; Fertility wish; HIV; Reproductive desire; Transmission