Researchers did this study to assess trends and determinants of family planning use and impact of HIV serostatus among couples.
HIV care was grouped into three periods, pre-antiretroviral therapy, HIVC roll-out, and HIVC scale-up. Trends in couple contraceptive use were assessed by chi-square test for trend, and multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios of predictors of contraceptive use.
6139 couples in total contributed 13 709 observations. Hormonal contraception, with significant increases among M−F− and M+F+, but not serodiscordant couples. Condom use significantly increased among M+F+ and serodiscordant couples, but not among M−F− couples. Dual-use of HC and condoms increased over time, irrespective of HIV status. Factors associated with increases in contraceptive use were: higher education, co-resident children, male non-marital relationship, and scaled-up HIVC phase. Enrolment in HIVC was associated with increased HC and condom use among HIV+ concordant and serodiscordant couples.
The study concluded that the use of modern contraception and dual method use increased over time, particularly after enrolment into HIVC. Integration of HIV and reproductive health services is critical for the prevention of unwanted pregnancies and HIV infection.
Reference: https://srh.bmj.com/content/40/3/208
