Acceptance of HIV-infected patients in assisted reproductive technique protocols

Abstract Objective To assess the adequacy of a multidisciplinary approach providing information to couples affected by HIV before ART. Design Prospective observational study. Setting RT centre and infectious disease clinic, public university hospital. Patients 50 couples with at least one HIV-infected partner. Interventions Multidisciplinary approach towards ART by various intervening physicians (specialist in fertility, infectious diseases, paediatrics, obstetrics, psychiatry). Main outcome measured We analysed specifically the cases in which the staff did not accept and the patient's compliance to the counselling procedures. Results Among the 150 couples, 30 did not complete the procedure and were lost to follow-up. The remaining 120 couples were evaluated: 89 couples were accepted, 5 were temporarily refused and 26 were refused definitively. The major reasons for refusal were medical reasons ( n = 13). Conclusion Because of the high refusal rate and the drop of rate, a multidisciplinary approach is mandatory before initiating ART in seropositive couples.