Family Medicine & Medical Science Research
Open Access

Abstract

Fertility Intention and Associated Factors among Anti-retroviral Treatment User Clients in Awi Zone, Northwest Ethiopia, 2018: A Cross Sectional Study

Enyew Adane Amare, Getachew Hailu*, Kassawar Angaw Bogale and Taye Abuhay Zewale

Background: Even though the desire of HIV infected persons to have children in the future has significant implications for the transmission of HIV to their sexual partners or newborns, both the level of fertility intention and its associated factors among clients receiving ART were not systematically investigated particularly in Awi Zone, Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design supplemented by the qualitative study was conducted on selected study subjects attending care and treatment in ART clinics in Awi zone; from November 3 to November 25, 2018. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire for the quantitative and an in-depth interview guide for the qualitative data collection tools were used. The quantitative data were entered in EPI info version 7 and analysis was carried out using SPSS version 21. Binary and multivariable logistic regression was done to identify factors associated with fertility intention. The qualitative data was coded in themes and analyzed thematically using Open-code software version 4.02.

Results: Three hundred fifty-five clients participated in the study with a response rate of 94.5%, of these 239 (67.3%) were females. The mean age was 36.38 years. A total of 160 (45.1%) of clients had fertility intentions with 95% CI of (39.4%-50.1%). Younger age (AOR: 5.45, 95% CI, (1.37-21.76)), Being married (AOR: 3.18, 95% CI, (1.33-7.62)), Family planning user (AOR: 0.15, 95% CI, (0.07-0.32)), had no child ((AOR: 19.78, 95% CI, (5.48-71.42)), having discussion with health providers (AOR: 1.92, 95% CI, (1.03, 60)), and having sexual practice (AOR: 10.89, 95% CI, (4.48, 26.49)), were found to be significantly associated with fertility intention.

Conclusion: The level of fertility intention among PLHIV in the study area was 45.1%. In this study: Age, being married, use of family planning, had no child, having a discussion with a health provider and had sexual practice were predictors and from in-depth interview, improved health condition, partner desire, knowledge about PMTCT, social security and sex preference were described as a factor of fertility intention. Therefore, the health care providers who work at The ART clinic would consider these factors for HIV positive people to decide freely and responsibly on their fertility intention.

Published Date: 2019-05-20; Received Date: 2019-04-24