FERTILITY DESIRE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS ATTENDING ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY CLINIC IN WEST WOLLEGA, ETHIOPIA.

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.