Pattern of contraception among HIV positive women in Jos University Teaching Hospital

Prevention of unintended pregnancies among HIV positive women is a key strategy in preventing the spread of the disease. Contraception is crucial to achieving this and consistent use of condom provides the dual advantage of prevention of pregnancy and reinfection with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. The purpose of the study is to determine the contraceptive awareness among these women, the types of contraception being used as well as the prevalence and compliance with barrier contraception. A cross-sectional survey using an interviewer-administered proforma among HIV positive women within the reproductive age group receiving prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) in Jos University Teaching Hospital. A total of 140 questionnaires were administered and retrieved. One hundred and thirty nine women (99.3%) had contraceptive awareness. Ninety eight of them (70%) were using contraception, among which 95(96.9% of contraceptive use) were using condom. The condom prevalence rate in the whole population was 67.8% The pattern of contraception showed that 46 (46.9%) used condom alone, 49 (50%) used condom with other methods; among which condom and injectables constitutedthe largest group (41 women, 41.8%). Out of those using condom, 43 (43.2%) were using it consistently. The prevalence of contraception, the use of barrier contraceptive and the rate of the combined use of condom with other contraceptive method, underscores the contraceptive awareness of these women as a means of preventing unplanned pregnancies and prevention of re-infection with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.