Need, demand and missed opportunities for integrated reproductive health-HIV care in Kenya and Swaziland: evidence from household surveys
Mak, J.; Birdthistle, I.; Church, K.; Friend-Du Preez, N.; Kivunaga, J.; Kikuvi, J.; Masuku, R.; Mayhew, S.H.
Aids 27(Suppl 1): S55-S63
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 1473-5571 PMID: 24088685 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000000046Document Number: 576151
Little is known about the need and demand for integrated reproductive health and HIV services at the population level. Descriptive data analysis of household surveys collected by the Integra Initiative. Household surveys were conducted among 18-49-year-olds in Kenya (N = 1752) and Swaziland (N = 779) in 2009. Data on fertility intentions, contraceptive use, sexual behaviours and HIV testing were used to determine unmet needs. Demand for integrated services was defined as wanting reproductive health services with HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) services within one visit. At the population level, family planning needs (90%) were higher than HIV/STI prevention needs: 53% (women) and 75% (men). Fewer had unmet family planning needs through non-use of contraceptives: 17% (women) and 27% (men); versus unmet HIV/STI prevention needs through inconsistent condom use: 48 and 26% of women; 51 and 32% of men in Kenya and Swaziland, respectively. Dual need was higher for men: 64% (Kenya) and 73% (Swaziland) versus women (48%) with more unmet in Kenya (43%) compared to Swaziland (25%). Missed opportunities for integrated service provision were high among women: 49 and 57% with unmet family planning needs; and 55 and 32% with unmet HIV/STI prevention needs in Kenya and Swaziland, respectively, used services, but did not receive the needed service. Most men with unmet needs were non-service users. Approximately a quarter of women wanted and received integrated reproductive health-HIV/STI services in both countries. Demand creation at the community level and provider-initiated integrated service provision are needed, using different strategies for men and women, to address substantial family planning and HIV/STI prevention needs.