The Social Legacy of AIDS: Fertility Aspirations Among HIV-affected Women in Uganda

Overview

Journal Am J Public Health

Specialty Public Health

Date 2012 Dec 15

PMID 23237166

Citations 13

Authors

Rachel C Snow

Massy Mutumba

Kenneth Resnicow

Godfrey Mugyenyi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: We investigated the impact of HIV status on fertility desires in Uganda.

Methods: We surveyed 1594 women aged 18 to 49 years visiting outpatient services at Mbarara Regional Hospital, from May through August 2010. Of these, 59.7% were HIV-positive; 96.4% of HIV-positive women were using antiretroviral therapy (ART). We used logistic regression models to examine relationships between HIV status and fertility desires, marital status, household structure, educational attainment, and household income.

Results: Among married women, HIV-positive status was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of desiring more children (27.7% vs 56.4% of HIV-negative women; χ(2) = 39.97; P < .001). The difference remained highly significant net of age, parity, son parity, foster children, education, or household income. HIV-positive women were more likely to be poor, unmarried, single heads of household, in second marriages (if married), living with an HIV-positive spouse, and supporting foster children.

Conclusions: We found a strong association between positive HIV status and lower fertility aspirations among married women in Uganda, irrespective of ART status. Although the increasing availability of ART is a tremendous public health achievement, women affected by HIV have numerous continuing social needs.

Citing Articles

Mass media influences on family planning knowledge, attitudes and method choice among sexually active men in sub-Saharan Africa.

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PMID: 35085245 PMC: 8794141. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261068.

Understanding the Effect of a Healthcare Provider-Led Family Planning Support Intervention on Contraception use and Pregnancy Desires among Postpartum Women Living with HIV in Southwestern Uganda.

Atukunda E, Matthews L, Musiimenta A, Agaba A, Najjuma J, Lukyamuzi E AIDS Behav. 2021; 26(1):266-276.

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Structured and sustained family planning support facilitates effective use of postpartum contraception amongst women living with HIV in South Western Uganda: A randomized controlled trial.

Atukunda E, Mugyenyi G, Musiimenta A, Kaida A, Atuhumuza E, Lukyamuzi E J Glob Health. 2021; 11:04034.

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Provision of family planning vouchers and early initiation of postpartum contraceptive use among women living with HIV in southwestern Uganda: A randomized controlled trial.

Atukunda E, Mugyenyi G, Obua C, Atuhumuza E, Lukyamuzi E, Kaida A PLoS Med. 2019; 16(6):e1002832.

PMID: 31226123 PMC: 6588214. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002832.

Factors Associated with Pregnancy Intentions Amongst Postpartum Women Living with HIV in Rural Southwestern Uganda.

Atukunda E, Mugyenyi G, Atuhumuza E, Kaida A, Boatin A, Agaba A AIDS Behav. 2018; 23(6):1552-1560.

PMID: 30367320 PMC: 6486443. DOI: 10.1007/s10461-018-2317-9.

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