Unintended pregnancy among HIV-positive pregnant women in Enugu, southeast Nigeria

• Published in: International journal of gynecology and obstetrics 2016-01, Vol.132 (1), p.60-63
• Main Authors: Ezugwu, Euzebus C, Iyoke, Chukwuemeka A, Nkwo, Peter O, Ezegwui, Hygenius U, Akabueze, Jude C, Agu, Polycap U
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Anti-Retroviral Agents - therapeutic use; Cross-Sectional Studies; Enugu; Female; HIV infection; HIV Infections - complications; HIV Infections - drug therapy; HIV Infections - psychology; Humans; Nigeria; Nigeria - epidemiology; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - epidemiology; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - psychology; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - virology; Pregnancy, Unplanned - psychology; Pregnancy, Unwanted - psychology; Prenatal Care; Prevalence; Sexual Partners; Surveys and Questionnaires; Unintended pregnancy; Unplanned pregnancy; Unwanted pregnancy; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0020-7292; 1879-3479
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2015.06.039

Abstract Objective To determine the prevalence and factors associated with unintended pregnancy among HIV-positive pregnant women in Enugu, southeast Nigeria. Methods A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was performed of HIV-positive pregnant women receiving prenatal care at two tertiary health institutions in Enugu between March 1 and August 31, 2012. The women were interviewed with a pretested questionnaire. Results Overall, 180 HIV-positive pregnant women were recruited, 67 (37.2%) of whom declared that their pregnancy was unintended. Overall, 174 (96.7%) patients were receiving antiretroviral therapy and 99 (55.0%) had future fertility intensions. Participants with regular partners (married or cohabiting) had a significantly higher rate of unintended pregnancy than those with unstable partners (40.3%, n = 64/159 vs 14.3%, n = 3/21 P = 0.029). Age, parity, educational level, and current treatment with antiretroviral therapy did not significantly affect the prevalence of unintended pregnancy. Conclusion A substantial number of HIV-positive pregnant women declared their pregnancies to be unintended. Modern contraceptives should be made readily available and accessible to HIV-positive women to help eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and subsequent new pediatric HIV infections.