Characteristics and fertility desires among people living with HIV in Sokoto, Nigeria

Background: The fertility issues of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are increasingly becoming very important because advances in medical care have decreased mother to child transmission. Thus, many are now opting for parenthood. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried among 400 HIV-positive individuals receiving follow-up care at HIV clinic, Usmanu DanFodio University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) Sokoto. Results: The overall mean age was 34.47±0.38 years (male, 38.40 ± 0.52 and female, 31.40 ± 0.44). Over half (57%) of the participants were sexually active, of which only 68.7% of them reported using condom always. High proportion of the respondents (67.7%); 64.4% among females and 70.2% among males, reported desire to have children in future. There were significant relationships between desire for children and age (χ2=17.7, p = <0.001), ethnicity (χ2=13.4, p= <0.001), religion (χ2=15.5, p= <0.001), educational level (χ2=9.0, p= 0.029) and marital status (χ2=9.3, p=0.025). In multiple logistic regression analysis, younger age (aOR=2.0, p= 0.023), married (aOR= 1.9, p= <0.001) and number of living children (aOR= 0.7, p= <0.001) were the significant predictors for the desire for children. Conclusion: Many of the respondents, at whatever stage of their illness, have a desire for children. Therefore it is recommended that fertility unit be established within the HIV clinic aimed at providing health education concerning risk of transmission and counselling, consisting of helping men and women evaluate their own feelings, goals and needs with respect to reproductive decision-making.