Assessing the association between disclosure of HIV Sero status and contraceptive utilization among HIV positive women at AIDS Information Centre Kampala, Uganda.

Abstract

Background Disclosure of HIV sero status is associated with improved sexual behavior. However there is limited information on the association between HIV sero status disclosure and contraceptive utilization among HIV+ women.

Objective:

To assess the association between disclosure of HIV sero status to the marital partner and contraceptive utilization among HIV positive women

Methodology

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 373 HIV+ married women of reproductive age receiving HIV care services at AIC, who had tested for HIV status at least 4 weeks prior to the study. These were selected using systematic sampling using AIC post-test club register. Quantitative data was entered using Epi-Info version 3.5.1 and exported to STATA version 10 for analysis.

Results:

About three quarters (73%) had HIV sero status disclosed to their marital partners in the past six months prior to the study. Reported use of hormonal contraceptives was low (29%), although almost all women were users of condoms for both protection against unwanted pregnancies as well as prevention of re-infection from HIV and STIs. Women who disclosed their HIV sero status where significantly less likely to report use of hormonal contraceptive (adj.PRR=0.58; 0.45 – 0.76) compared to those who did not disclose.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of HIV sero status disclosure was high. Use of hormonal contraceptive was low, but use of condoms was nearly universal. Disclosure of HIV sero status was associated with lower use of hormonal contraceptive among HIV+ women attending care. Recommendations: Advocacy for disclosure should be increased to raise disclosure prevalence to 100% AIC should sensitize HIV+ women who have disclosed sero status on hormonal contraceptive.