Pregnancy plans despite AIDS risk
Hollander, D.
Family Planning Perspectives 30(3): 107
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0014-7354 PMID: 9635257 Document Number: 281773
This article briefly summarizes findings from Ahluwalia's study of risk factors associated with reproductive decision making among women at risk of HIV/AIDS. Data were obtained from a survey during 1987-92 among a sample of 1921 women who were at risk of contracting HIV because of their own or their partner's use of injected drugs. A follow-up survey at 6 months was conducted. Findings indicate that most women had extensive knowledge about AIDS and considered themselves at risk. 55% had been tested for HIV, of whom 13% were HIV-positive. 12% indicated a desire for childbearing in the near future. In the follow-up sample, 12% of the women who wanted to conceive and 3% who did not intend to conceive were pregnant. Among the pregnant women at follow-up, 15% and 22%, respectively, were HIV-positive. Multivariate analysis indicates that reproductive decisions were influenced by background characteristics. Reproductive intentions were associated with the odds of becoming pregnant. AIDS knowledge and perceived risk were not associated with the risk of wanting to become pregnant or becoming pregnant. Researchers concluded that women at risk have some control over reproductive decision-making. IEC should account for demographic and contextual factors in attempts to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.