The Desire to Have Children: Is Pmtct an Opportunity for Hiv Positive People? A Cross Sectional Study in Mekelle Health Institutions, Tigray/Ethiopia, 2009
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Date
2009-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Back ground: The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy has changed the
life prospect of PLWHA towards parenthood. However, little is known about the extent
of PLWHA desire to have children.
Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the desire to have children and identify
factors associated with desire to have children among men and women living with
HIV/AIDS at follow up of ARV treatment units.
Method: A cross–sectional facility based study was conducted; using a pre tested
structured questionnaires on sample of HIV–infected men and women attending at ARV
treatment sites in Mekelle hospital and three health centers in Mekelle town. Total sample
sizes of 367 respondents were selected using systematic random sampling technique.
Respondents were selected proportional to the size of each facility serving ARV
treatment. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical soft ware version 15.0. Ethical
clearance was obtained from the Medical Faculty of Addis Ababa University.
Result: Data were obtained from 367 respondents, yielding a response rate 98.9%. One
hundred forty four (39.2%) of respondents had desire to have children. Among men this
proportion was 43.6% (n=61), in contrast to 36.6 (n=83) of women. Generally desire to
have children was higher in the age group 20-29 years compared to elderly age group
with OR 10.48 (95% CI: 5.07, 21.63). Respondents who disclosed their HIV status to
their partners had significant association for desire to have children compared to those
who do not disclosed with OR 1.67 (95% CI: 1.00, 2.80).
Conclusion A significant proportion of HIV infected individuals have desire for children.
Issues related to fertility desires need to be addressed more frequently by health care
providers to their HIV-infected clients through counseling to facilitate informed decision-
making about child bearing.
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Keywords
Mekelle Health Institutions, Hiv Positive People