Fertility Intentions and Patterns of Contraceptive Behaviour among Women Living with HIV in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

Opeyemi Fadeyibi, Obafemi Awolowo University
Akanni I. Akinyemi, Obafemi Awolowo University
Sunday Adedini, Obafemi Awolowo University

Although societal expectations for women to marry and bear children at certain ages still exist, the reproductive desires of many women living with HIV in developing countries may remain an illusion for many years to come. Data on fertility intentions and contraceptive behaviour in the 12 months preceding the survey was collected among women of reproductive age attending HIV, VCT and ANC clinics at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital and State House Medical Center and analyzed using a case-control study design. Results showed that there is no significant difference between fertility intentions of women who have tested positive for HIV and those who have not. Contraceptive behaviour however differ significantly among the two groups. The study suggests an urgent need to improve accessibility to antiretroviral therapy in the country if the reproductive desires of women living with HIV are to be met.