Reproductive behaviour among women on antiretroviral therapy in Botswana: mismatched pregnancy plans and contraceptive use

Abstract

Understanding pregnancy planning and contraceptive use is important in preventing unplanned/unwanted pregnancies among women on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Through a cross-sectional survey of 155 women living with HIV on ART in Botswana (mean age = 36), bivariate/multivariate analyses were used to identify and understand pregnancy planning and contraceptive use. Women who did not plan to have a child (n = 85) were older, less educated, had more children and worried about stigmatisation from family and healthcare workers (HCWs). Multivariate analyses found age (OR:3.41; CI:1.57–7.45; p = 0.002); perceived stigmatisation from family and healthcare workers (OR:3.62; CI:1.47–8.96; p = 0.005); and believing it is irresponsible for women living with HIV to want a child (OR:2.40; CI:1.10–5.24; p = 0.028) to be significantly associated with not planning to have a child. Although reported condom use among 85 women who did not plan to have a child was nearly 90%, a total of 26 of these...