HIV/AIDS and contraceptive method choice : demographic and socio-economic correlates of contraceptive method choice among HIV-positive women practising family planning in Kenya

Magadi, Monica A.

Abstract

Introduction: As the generalized HIV epidemic in specific settings of sub-Saharan Africa continues to evolve, there is need for evidence-based response to address emerging challenges, which include enabling the large number of women living with HIV make informed choices to achieve their reproductive goals. Objectives: This paper seeks to (i) examine the effect of HIV/AIDS on contraceptive method choice among women using contraceptives in Kenya; and (ii) identify correlates of contraceptive method choice among HIV-positive women practising family planning. Material and Methods: We apply multinomial Logistic regression models to a sample of 3190 sexually-active women of reproductive age using contraceptives from the 2003 and 2008 Kenya Demographic and Health Surveys to examine the effect of HIV/AIDS on contraceptive method choice. The analysis of correlates of method choice among HIV-positive women is based on a sample of 255 HIV-positive women using contraceptives and involves bivariate cross-tabulations with Chi-Square tests. Result: Overall association between HIV status and contraceptive method choice is consistent with expected patterns, with women who are HIV-positive being more than twice as likely to use condoms rather than hormonal contraceptives, compared to their counterparts of similar characteristics who are HIV-negative (p<0.05). Among women infected with HIV, those who were previously tested for HIV were more likely to use condoms and less likely to use hormonal methods (p<0.05) than those who had never been tested. The higher use of condoms by HIV-positive women is only evident among those who had previously been tested for HIV. Significant correlates of contraceptive method choice among HIV-positive women include parity, marital status, age group, education and ethnicity. Overall trends suggest a notable shift from use of hormonal methods to condoms by HIV-positive women, but predominant use of hormonal methods (60%) and low use of condoms (23%) by HIV-positive young women aged 15-24 practising family planning is of potential concern. Conclusion: The findings have important implications for family planning policies/programs targeting young women living with HIV and underscore the need to intensify efforts towards improved HIV testing coverage to enable HIV-positive women make informed reproductive choices.

Citation

Magadi, M. A. (2016). HIV/AIDS and contraceptive method choice : demographic and socio-economic correlates of contraceptive method choice among HIV-positive women practising family planning in Kenya. HIV/AIDS Research and Treatment: Open Journal, 3(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.17140/HARTOJ-3-119

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 14, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Apr 18, 2016
• Publication Date: Apr 18, 2016
• Deposit Date: May 4, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: May 4, 2016
• Journal: HIV/AIDS research and treatment : open journal
• Publisher: Openventio
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 3
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 1-12
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.17140/HARTOJ-3-119
• Keywords: HIV-positive women, Contraceptive method choice, Demographic and socio-economic correlates, Multinomial regression analysis, Demographic and health survey, Kenya
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/437620