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Open Access 01-12-2021 | Human Immunodeficiency Virus | Research

Patterns of changing pregnancy intentions among women living with HIV in Canada

Authors: Lashanda Skerritt, Angela Kaida, Nadia O’Brien, Ann N. Burchell, Gillian Bartlett, Édénia Savoie, Isabelle Boucoiran, Rebecca Gormley, Mary Kestler, Deborah Money, Mona Loutfy, Alexandra de Pokomandy

Published in: BMC Women's Health | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Women with an undetectable viral load can become pregnant and have children with no risk of HIV transmission to their sexual partners and low risk of transmission to their infants. Contemporary pregnancy intentions of women living with HIV in Canada are poorly understood, evidenced by high rates of unintended pregnancy and low uptake of contraceptives.

Methods

We used longitudinal survey data from the Canadian HIV Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Cohort Study (CHIWOS) to measure and compare pregnancy intentions (Yes vs No vs Unsure) at baseline, 18-months and 36-months follow-up (from 2013 to 2018) among women living with HIV of reproductive age (16–49 years) and potential. We used Sankey diagrams to depict changes in pregnancy intentions over time and multivariable logistic regression to examine the relationship between pregnancy intention within 2 years and subsequent pregnancy.

Results

At baseline, 41.9% (119/284) of women intended to become pregnant, 43.3% did not, and 14.8% were unsure. Across 36-months of follow-up, 41.9% (119/284) of women changed their pregnancy intentions, with 25% changing from intending to not intending to become pregnant and 13.1% vice versa. Pregnancy intentions were not strongly associated with subsequent pregnancy between baseline and 18-months (aOR 1.44; 95% CI 0.53, 3.72) or between 18 and 36-months (aOR 2.17; 95% CI 0.92, 5.13).

Conclusions

Our findings underscore the need for healthcare providers to engage in ongoing discussions with women living with HIV to support their dynamic pregnancy intentions.

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Title: Patterns of changing pregnancy intentions among women living with HIV in Canada
Authors: Lashanda Skerritt
Angela Kaida
Nadia O’Brien
Ann N. Burchell
Gillian Bartlett
Édénia Savoie
Isabelle Boucoiran
Rebecca Gormley
Mary Kestler
Deborah Money
Mona Loutfy
Alexandra de Pokomandy
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Published in: BMC Women's Health / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6874
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-021-01492-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Patterns of changing pregnancy intentions among women living with HIV in Canada

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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