DESIRE TO USE CONTRACEPTIVES AMONG SEXUALLY ACTIVE HIV POSITIVE WOMEN IN EASTERN ZONE OF TIGRAY, ETHIOPIA, 2015

Yemane Berhane* and Fitiwi Tinsae

ABSTRACT

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus is affecting majority of the population, particularly the reproductive age group; resulting in social and economic crisis. Prevention of unintended pregnancies among HIV positive women is one of the four elements of comprehensive approach to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV. Objective: the aim of this study was to assess the desire to use contraceptives among sexually active HIV positive women in Eastern zone of Tigray, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using structured and pre-tested questionnaire to obtain information from the respondents. Review of secondary data was also used to obtain clinical data. Data were entered, cleaned & analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Univariate and logistic regression analysis were done to analyze desire to use and the covariates. Results: A total of 526 subjects were participated with a response rate of 100%. The mean age of the respondents was 34.4 (SD ±5.5) years. The odds of desire to use contraceptives were higher among women with education attended. Women who had HIV positive partners and discussed on family planning with their partner were more likely have desired to use the methods. Conclusion: The prevalence of desire to use contraceptives among HIV positive reproductive women is low. Educational status, partner’s HIV/AIDs status and partner’s discussion on utilization of contraceptives were factors associated with outcome variable. Policy makers and respective health institutions need to plan and consider available services to enhance future desire of contraception use among sexually active HIV-infected women to realize HIV free generation.

Keywords: desire, contraceptive, HIV positive, Eastern Tigray.