Fertility desires and intentions of hiv-positive individuals on antiretra viral treatment in Dar es salaam

Abstract

There is an increase of people living with HIV / AIDS who are on antiretroviral treatment worldwide including Tanzania. Most of them are men and women of reproductive age. The desires and intentions of parenthood to these individuals are often being observed but little is known on the issues that push these individuals to have the desire and intention of parenthood. A descriptive cross section study was conducted in Dar es salaam, aimed at determining factors associated with fertility desires and intentions of HIV positive individuals who are on antiretroviral treatment. A total of 245 men and women participated in the study. Among them 35.3% and 64.7% were men and women respectively. Data were analyzed by using SPSS computer software, frequencies, cross tabulation and binary logistic regression were done to find the associated factors. One hundred and one participants desire to have children in the future with more men compared to women (53.0% versus 44.1 %) and 112 individuals who participated in this study have an intention of having children in the future, with more men compared to women (49.4% Vs 46.7%).Fertility desires and intentions were found to be associated with having a child, number of living children and importance of having own child. Disclosure of HIV status to the sexual partner doesn't associate with fertility desires, but irrespective of this many HIV positive individuals desires to have children with HIV negative partners. Conclusion: Having none or one living child and importance of having own child has association with fertility desires and intentions. In addition to that desires and intentions it has important implication on the transmission of HIV to the sexual partner as well as to the new born. Family planning programme is recommended to help them to make informed choices in fulfilling their desire and intention of parenthood .Also a study should be done to investigate why many HIV positive individuals desire to have children with HIV negative persons. "