Cherie, Amsale (PhD)Desta, Amanuel2018-07-052023-11-062018-07-052023-11-062009-07http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/6573Back 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.enMekelle Health InstitutionsHiv Positive PeopleThesis