Dual Contraceptive Method Use & Pregnancy Intention among People Living with HIV Receiving HIV Care at Six Hospitals in Thailand

Background

Describe dual contraceptive method use and the intention to become pregnant of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and their partners in Thailand.

Methods

From January 2008–March 2009, we systematically selected a cohort of PLHIV from PLHIV seeking care at five tertiary care hospitals and one community hospital to complete a questionnaire assessing sexual activity, intention to become pregnant, and contraceptive practices at baseline and 12 months after enrollment. Participants received short family planning messages every 2–3 months to promote the use of dual contraceptives and were offered family planning services.

Results

A total of 1,388 PLHIV enrolled, their median age was 37 years (IQR 33–43), 898 (64.7 %) had a steady partner, and 737 (53.1 %) were male. Among those with a steady partner, 862 (96.0 %) did not intend to become pregnant; 709 (82.3 %) had sex during the previous 3 months, 683 (96.3 %) used at least one contraceptive method, and 202 (29.6 %) used dual contraceptive methods. Of the 317 PLHIV who used a single contraceptive method at baseline, 66 (20.8 %) reported using dual methods at 12 months. Participants at two tertiary care hospitals where coordinators facilitated PLHIV referral between HIV and OB/GYN clinics were more likely than participants at the other hospitals to change from single method to dual method (p ≤ 0.03).

Conclusion

Few PLHIV in this study intended to become pregnant; however, only one-fourth used dual contraceptive methods. Integrating an assessment of the intention to become pregnant and strengthening the PLHIV referral systems in family planning services may contribute to higher rates of dual contraceptive use.

Below:  Pregnancy desire assessment and family planning short messages

Full article at:  http://goo.gl/PZxrPH

By:  Warangkana Munsakul¹, Rangsima Lolekha^2*, Boonchai Kowadisaiburana³, Anuvat Roongpisuthipong⁴, Supannee Jirajariyavej⁵, Suvanna Asavapiriyanont⁶, Ubonsri Hancharoenkit⁷, Benjamas Baipluthong², Sarika Pattanasin² and Michael Martin²⁸

*Corresponding author: Rangsima Lolekha hpu8@cdc.gov

¹Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindharadhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand

²Thailand Ministry of Public Health-U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention Collaboration, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand

³Bamrasnaradura Infectious Disease Institute, Nonthaburi, Thailand

⁴Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

⁵Taksin Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand

⁶Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand

⁷Wiang Pa Pao Hospital, Chiang Rai, Thailand

⁸Division of Global HIV/AIDS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA

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