Predictors of fertility desire among people living with HIV attending anti-retroviral clinic in a tertiary health facility in Sokoto, Northern Nigeria

• Published in: Sahel medical journal Vol. 18; no. 1; pp. 14 - 19
• Main Authors: Kaoje, A, Ibrahim, M.T.O, Njoku, C, Gusau, G, Saad, A, Raji, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd 01.01.2015; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Subjects: Family planning; fertility desire; Health aspects; HIV patients; HIV/AIDS; Medical research; Methods; Reproductive health; Sokoto; Nigeria
• ISSN: 1118-8561; 2321-6689; 2321-6689
• DOI: 10.4103/1118-8561.152153

Introduction: The pressure on couples and particularly women to have children is strong in developing countries where a childless woman is considered a social pariah. This study aimed to determine the predictors of fertility desire among people living with HIV. Materials and Methods : This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 400 HIV-positive clients receiving follow-up care at anti-retroviral (ART) clinic in a tertiary health facility in Sokoto. A list of clients that came to the clinic was compiled and served as sampling frame. A two stage sampling method was used to select study respondents from the sampling frame. Interviewer- administered closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect the required data from the respondents. Ethical approval was granted for the conduct of the study and informed consent was obtained from the respondents. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were carried out. Results : Majority (56.2%) of the respondents were females. The overall mean age was 34.5 ± 0.4 years (male 38.4 ± 0.5 years), and (females, 31.4 ± 0.4 years). A large proportion of the respondents (67.7%) reported desire to have children in future. Using logistic regression analysis, younger age (adjusted odd ratio [aOR] = 2.0, P = 0.023), marital status (aOR = 1.9, P < 0.001) and number of living children (aOR = 0.7, P < 0.001) were the key factors influencing respondents desire for children. Conclusion : Many HIV-positive clients in the clinic reported desire to have children. It is recommended that full reproductive health services be provided in the clinic to help them achieve their reproductive goal without risk to their partners and new born.