2023/12/31 by Mosisa, Djalele, Wirtu, Dessalegn, Kajela, Gemechu
#Antiretroviral #Fertility Desire #PLWH #Treatment
paper · doi:10.20372/star.v12i4.03
Unmet fertility desire among people Living with HIV is more common in low- and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia, while it is one of the mechanisms for ensuring reproductive health rights. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the level of unmet need for fertility among people living with HIV attending ART clinics in Gimbi town. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of unmet fertility desire and associated factors among adult people attending ART clinics in Gimbi town. An institution-based cross-sectional study design was employed using quantitative data from February 15–March 15, 2023. The quantitative data was collected from one hospital and two health centres in Gimbi town by trained nurses using pre-prepared and tested questionnaires. Variables with a p-value <0.25 at bivariable level analysis were selected and entered into the second model for further analysis. Statistical significance at multivariable binary logistic regression was declared at p<0.05. The strengths of the associations and their statistical significance were measured using OR and 95% CI. The results were presented using tables and figures. The overall prevalence of unmet fertility desire among adult people attending ART clinics in Gimbi town was 64.6 % [95% CI, 60.2-69.8]. Being male [AOR 3.106; 95% CI, 1.379–6.998]; living in a rural area [AOR 3.625; 95% CI, 1.582–8.308]; having knowledge about MTCT [AOR 0.052; 95% CI, 0.017–0.165]; being on ART for <5 years [AOR 3.871; 95% CI, 1.721–8.706]; and being unemployed [AOR 0.172; 95% CI 0.063–0.469] showed a significant association with the unmet fertility desire. The study identified a high prevalence of unmet fertility desires among people living with HIV. Being male, having a rural residence, and being on ART for less than 5 years were factors strongly associated with unmet fertility desire, while having knowledge about MTCT was negatively associated with the outcome variable. These findings have important public health implications for addressing unmet needs for fertility through family planning services integrated with ART services.