Abstract:
Background: Globally, there is substantial proportion of PLHIV continue to have children
after being diagnosed with HIV regardless of the possible HIV transmission risks to their sexual
partners and children. Moreover, little is known of the magnitude of fertility desire and
associated factors among people attending ART especially in low-income countries like
Ethiopia including the study area.
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess magnitude of fertility desire and associated
factors among people attending ART clinic at West Wollega Zone, Ethiopia.
Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study design was used on a sample of 432 people
attending ART clinic in West Wollega health facilities from February 15- March 15, 2019.
Simple random sampling method was used to select the study participants. Pretested and
structured interviewer-administered questionnaires and telephone interview were used to
collect the data. The data were coded, entered, cleaned and exported to SPSS version 20 for
analysis. Variables with P value < 0.25 during bivaraible analyses were entered into
multivariable logistic regression model to control for all possible confounders to identify
factors associated with fertility desire. Level of statistical significance was declared at p value
less than 0.05.
Result: The magnitude of fertility desire of people attending ART clinic in west Wollega was
235 (55.7%), 95% CI: (50.7%, 60.7%). Age 18-29 years [AOR: 11.02, (95% CI: (2.95, 41.22)],
age of 30-39 years [AOR: 5.12, (95% CI: (1.46, 17.89)], marital duration of < 5years [AOR: (,
(5.75, 95% CI: (2.29, 14.39)], 5-9 years [AOR: 2.49, (95% CI: (1.03, 6.92)] being on ART for
≤ 2 years [AOR: 2.67,(95% CI:( 1.03, 6.92)], CD4 count ≥ 200cell/mm3 [AOR: 2. 59, (95%
CI:( 1.18, 5.69)], disclosing HIV status to families/friends [AOR: 13.33, (95% CI:( 4.29,
41.47)] were some factors associated with fertility desire among people attending ART clinic.
Conclusion: The magnitude of the fertility desire of people was relatively high. Age of
respondents, duration of marriage, health condition, disclosing status to families, being on
ART, CD4 count and HIV status of a child were found to be independent predictors of fertility
desire among PLHIV. Health professional should consider all these factors during HIV care.
