Contraceptive use and fertility intentions of HIV-positive women in two health districts in Yaounde, Cameroon
Abstract
HIV-positive women may desire to have children, plan their family size or avoid
becoming pregnant. The choice to use or not to use a contraceptive method depends on this
desire which is influenced by their fertility intentions. Among HIV-positive women who are
avoiding unintended pregnancy, the use of condoms on their own or with another contraceptive
method also lessens the possibility of infecting uninfected partners in sero-discordant
relationships and prevents possible vertical transmission to the infant. Barrier methods like the
condom used alone or in combination with other methods provide HIV-positive women with
protection against pregnancy and against the transmission of HIV. Several factors including
their fertility intentions influence their uptake and use of these various methods.
In urban health districts in Yaounde in Cameroon where the prevalence of HIV in women
remains higher than the national average and with observed increasing rates of abortions within
this population, very little information is available both about their fertility intentions and
contraceptive use. An understanding of the fertility intentions of HIV-positive women and their
uptake and use of dual protection is helpful in informing family planning activities for HIVpositive
persons and possibly informing services to provide safer options for conception in
HIV-positive women.