Fertility Desire and Associations with Condomless Sex, Antiretroviral Adherence, and Transmission Potential in a Cohort of Kenyan Women Living with HIV in Sero-discordant Relationships: A Mixed Methods Study
Year: 2023
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: For women living with HIV (WLH) in serodiscordant partnerships, decisions about childbearing can challenge condom use and antiretroviral adherence. In a prospective cohort of 148 WLH in serodiscordant partnerships, 58 (39%) wanted more children in the future but were not currently trying to conceive (fertility desire), and 32 (22%) were currently trying to become pregnant (fertility intent). Detection of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in vaginal secretions, a marker for recent condomless sex, was lowest in women with fertility desire and highest in women with fertility intent. Detectable viral load followed a similar pattern. Risk of HIV transmission, when condomless sex and PSA detection occurred concurrently, was three to fourfold higher at visits with fertility intent compared to visits with fertility desire. Qualitative interviews underscored the importance women place on childbearing and suggested that they had limited information about the role of antiretroviral therapy in reducing sexual HIV transmission.
Source: AIDS and Behavior
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,190
Funders: Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Center for AIDS Research, University of Washington, National Institute of Mental Health, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Awards: G1433643459, G1739902150, G2171369733, Women's Life Events & HIV Transmission Potential: A Multidisciplinary Study, G2460720302, Randomized controlled trial of an implementation science tool to increase cervical cancer screening in Mombasa, Kenya, University of Washington Developmental AIDS Research Center for Mental Health (UW ARCH), RCT of an Implementation Science Tool to Integrate HIV testing into Family Planning Services , STD and AIDS Research Training Grant, University of Washington/Fred Hutch Center for AIDS Research, G963224166
OpenAlex ID: W4319827491