Factors associated with reproductive options in HIV-infected women

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Campinas, Brazil, in HIV-infected women to evaluate factors associated with reproductive practices. A total of 112 HIV-infected women, 13 to 45 years old, with previous sexual experience were included in the study. Three groups were compared: pregnant women aware of their infection before current pregnancy, sterilized women who had made their reproductive choice after serodiagnosis and women using any reversible contraceptive method. Fisher's Exact Test and multivariate correspondence analysis were used in the statistical analysis. Among women interviewed, 23% were pregnant, 18% had been sterilized and 59% were using a reversible contraceptive method. Being younger was associated with reproductive practices that preserved the possibility of having a child. Reversible contraceptive users had fewer pregnancies and more often reported a desire to have children compared to the other groups. Partner's desire for parenthood was associated with pregnant and sterilized women. The clinical condition of the women and their partners, the serologic status of partner nor counseling about contraceptive choices influenced reproductive practices.