Fertility intentions of HIV patients referred to behavioural clinics of Kerman University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Background & Aims: Nowadays, with the widespread use of antiretroviral therapy (ART), the death rate from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has significantly reduced. This has led to a reassessment of pregnancy and increased fertility intention among HIV-positive patients. The aim of this study was to determine the fertility intentions and the factors affecting them in HIV-infected patients. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study was conducted on all patients (103 patients selected using convenience sampling) who referred to the Behavioural Disorders Counselling Centre in Kerman province from 2017 to 2021. Data were collected using a questionnaire and analysed using Chi-square and logistic regression tests. A statistical significance level was considered at p < 0.05. Results: Among the patients, 38 (36.9%) were female and 65 (63.1%) were male. Seventy-five (72.8%) patients expressed fertility intentions. Fertility intentions were higher among male patients compared to female patients (47 versus 28). Patients who had knowledge of HIV transmission methods were 3.28 times more likely to have fertility intentions than those without such knowledge. There was a significant relationship between knowledge of HIV transmission methods and fertility intentions (CI: 1.33-8.08, OR: 3.28). Conclusion: Counselors are recommended to have enough psychological knowledge to encourage patients to seek counseling. Also, a plan is needed to encourage HIV-infected patients to refer to a relevant specialist to have a healthy child under the guidance of that specialist.

Keywords

• behavioural clinic
• fertility intentions
• hiv-positive individual