Factors influencing reproductive choices of HIV positive individuals attending primary health care facilities in a South African health district

BMC Public Health

Research Article

Laetitia C. Rispel¹  Samuel Agbo² 

[1] Centre for Health Policy & DST/NRF Research Chair, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa;Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa;School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa;P.O BOX 12089, Tramshed, 0126, Pretoria, South Africa;

关键词: Reproductive choices;    HIV positive patients;    Desire for children;    HIV&AIDS;    South Africa;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-017-4432-3

 received in 2016-09-29, accepted in 2017-05-15,  发布年份 2017

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThere is global recognition of the reproductive health rights of people living with HIV (PLHIV). The aim of this research study was to explore the reproductive choices, and the factors influencing these choices, of HIV positive patients attending primary health care (PHC) facilities in the Ekurhuleni health district of the Gauteng Province of South Africa.MethodsDuring 2013, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Ekurhuleni health district. At each of three randomly selected community health centres, a random sample of HIV positive patients was selected. After informed consent was obtained, trained fieldworkers administered a structured questionnaire that elicited information on socio-demographics, reproductive choices and knowledge of reproductive options. Survey data were analysed using STATA® 13.ResultsThe majority of survey participants (n = 430) were female (70%) and unemployed (57%). The mean age of participants was 36.4 years (SD 8.6): 40.8 years (SD 8.7) for men and 34.5 years (SD7.8) for women.Among survey participants, 46% expressed a desire for children (95% CI: 41.4–50.9). In the multiple logistic regression analysis, predictors of desire for children were age less than 49 years, marriage or living together, and no biological children. The odds of wanting children was 16.48 [95% CI: 5.94–45.74] times higher for PLHIV without children, compared with those with two or more children, while for those less than 25 years, the odds of wanting children was 0.78 [95% CI: 0.23–2.59] compared with those older than 50 years.The PLHIV knowledge on the available reproductive options was limited, with the majority relying on the guidance of the health workers.ConclusionHealth care providers at PHC level should be educated to address the reproductive health needs of PLHIV. These aspects should be reflected in provincial and national health policies.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2017