Contraceptive Use and Uptake of HIV-Testing among Sub-Saharan African Women.
Despite improved availability of simple, relatively inexpensive, and highly effective antiretroviral treatment for HIV/AIDS, the disease remains a major public health challenge for women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Given the numerous barriers in access to care for women in this region, every health issue that brings them into contact with the health system should be optimized as an opportunity to integrate HIV/AIDS prevention. Because most non-condom forms of modern contraception require a clinical appointment for use, contraception appointments could provide a confidential opportunity for access to HIV counseling, testing, and referral to care. This study sought to investigate the relationship between contraceptive methods and HIV testing among women in SSA. Data from the Demographic and Health Survey from four African countries-Congo, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Uganda-was used to examine whether modern (e.g., pills, condom) or traditional (e.g., periodic abstinence, withdrawal) forms of contraception were associated with uptake of HIV testing. Data for the current analyses were restricted to 35,748 women with complete information on the variables of interest. Chi-square tests and logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between uptake of HIV testing and respondents' baseline characteristics and contraceptive methods. In the total sample and in Mozambique, women who used modern forms of contraception were more likely to be tested for HIV compared to those who did not use contraception. This positive association was not demonstrated in Congo, Nigeria, or Uganda. That many women who access modern contraception are not tested for HIV in high HIV burden areas highlights a missed opportunity to deliver an important intervention to promote maternal and child health. Given the increasing popularity of hormonal contraception methods in low-income countries, there is an urgent need to integrate HIV counseling, testing, and treatment into family planning programs. Women on hormonal contraceptives should be encouraged to continue to use condoms for HIV-prevention.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America.|Biomedical Research and Education Foundation of Southern Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America.
Katherine E
0000-0002-5635-310X
KE
Center
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America.
Jayleen K L
JK
Gunn
Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America.
Ibitola O
IO
Asaolu
University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America.
Steven J
SJ
Gibson
Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America.
John E
JE
Ehiri
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D003267:Contraception / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution; D003376:Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV / Q000502:physiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female