Childbearing Intentions of HIV-Positive Women of Reproductive Age in Soweto, South Africa: The Influence of Expanding Access to HAART in an HIV Hyperendemic Setting

• DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2009.177469
• Publication Date: 2010-04-20T03:34:02Z
• Authors: Angela Kaida; Fatima Laher; Steffanie A. Stra...; Patricia A. Janssen; Deborah Money; Robert S. Hogg; Glenda Gray
• Keywords: Interquartile range

We investigated whether the intention to have children varied according HIV status and use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) among women in Soweto, South Africa.We used survey data from 674 aged 18 44 years recruited Perinatal Research Unit Soweto (May through December 2007); 217 were HIV-positive HAART users (median duration = 31 months; interquartile range 28, 33), 215 HAART-naive, 242 negative. Logistic regression models examined associations between status, use, children.Overall, 44% reported intent children, with significant variation by status: 31% users, 29% HAART-naive women, 68% HIV-negative (P < .001). In adjusted models, nearly 60% less likely report childbearing intentions compared (for odds ratio [AOR] 0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23, 0.69; for AOR 0.35; CI 0.21, 0.60), minimal differences or HAART.Integrated HIV, HAART, reproductive health services must be provided support rights all safely achieve their fertility goals.