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AIDS and Behavior
Published in: AIDS and Behavior 6/2020

01-06-2020 | Fertility | Original Paper

Fertility Intentions and Clinical Care Attendance Among Women Living with HIV in South Africa

Authors: Katherine B. Rucinski, Sheree R. Schwartz, Kimberly A. Powers, Brian W. Pence, Benjamin H. Chi, Vivian Black, Helen Rees, Audrey E. Pettifor

Published in: AIDS and Behavior | Issue 6/2020

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Abstract

Poor HIV care retention impedes optimal treatment outcomes in persons living with HIV. Women trying to become pregnant may be motivated by periconception horizontal and vertical transmission concerns and thus more likely to attend HIV care visits than women not trying to conceive. We estimated the effect of fertility intentions on HIV care attendance over 12 months among non-pregnant, HIV-positive women aged 18–35 years who were on or initiating antiretroviral therapy in Johannesburg, South Africa. The percentage of women attending an HIV care visit decreased from 93.4% in the first quarter to 82.8% in the fourth quarter. Fertility intentions were not strongly associated with care attendance in this cohort of reproductive-aged women; however, attendance declined over time irrespective of childbearing plans. These findings suggest a need for reinforced efforts to support care engagement and risk reduction, including safer conception practices for women wishing to conceive.
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Metadata
Title
Fertility Intentions and Clinical Care Attendance Among Women Living with HIV in South Africa
Authors
Katherine B. Rucinski
Sheree R. Schwartz
Kimberly A. Powers
Brian W. Pence
Benjamin H. Chi
Vivian Black
Helen Rees
Audrey E. Pettifor
Publication date
01-06-2020
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
AIDS and Behavior / Issue 6/2020
Print ISSN: 1090-7165
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3254
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-019-02564-y

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