Factors influencing women living with HIV/AIDS’ intention to fall pregnant among those attending the OI/ART clinic in Murambinda, Buhera District, Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe, 2010

Abstract

Background: With increases in HIV testing facilities in Zimbabwe, more women are aware of their HIV status before falling pregnant. This was found in a Murambinda survey in 2008. It is every woman’s right to fall pregnant, however, those living with HIV/AIDS need to be guided well to protect the health of the mother and her baby preventing Mother to Child transmission of HIV/AIDS (MTCT). We carried out a study to establish the factors contributing to WLHA’s intention to fall pregnant in order to focus this guidance. Methods: An analytical cross sectional study was carried out July-August 2010 at the Opportunistic Infection/ Anti Retroviral Treatment (OI/ART) clinic of Murambinda Mission Hospital. 421 WLHA of reproductive age were systematically sampled from those waiting in the queue to attend the OI/ART clinic. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data from them. Focus group discussions, counselling observations and check lists were also used to obtain information regarding factors influencing the intention of WLHA to fall pregnant. Results: We interviewed 421 HIV positive women of reproductive age. Significant factors were being aged less than 36 [OR=4.45 (CI=2.78-7.16)], being married [OR=1.90 (CI=1.25-2.87)], having secondary education or above [OR=1.83 (CI=1.16-2.88)], having parity of less than 4 [OR=2.72 (CI=1.75-4.22], spousal influence [OR=1.74 (CI=1.01-3.03)], partner disclosure [OR=0.50 (CI=0.27-0.87)], believing community approves intention to fall pregnant [OR=7.75 (CI=4.11-14.61)] and belonging to a support group [OR=0.62 (CI=0.40-0.91)]. Independent determinants of intention to fall pregnant were being aged less than 36 iii [aOR=2.15, (2.02- 2.98)], having parity of less than 4 [aOR=1.82 (1.10-3.02)] and believing community approves intention to fall pregnant [aOR=6.18 (5.75-6.39)] Conclusion: Being married, being aged less than 36, being of secondary education and above, having parity of less than 4, spousal influence and believing community approves decision to fall pregnant increased the likelihood of the intention to fall pregnant. Partner disclosure and belonging to a support group decreased the likelihood of the intention to fall pregnant. Plans to strengthen and increase support groups for women and men living with HIV/AIDS have begun.