Canadian researchers call for improved integration of family planning care for HIV-positive women

  • Canadian study finds 60% of pregnancies among HIV-positive women were unintended.
  • Among HIV-positive women, unintentional pregnancies were more common if they were younger, single or born in Canada.
  • Researchers highlight the need to integrate family planning within comprehensive HIV care.

A team of Canadian researchers has analysed a comprehensive survey of HIV-positive women living in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. The survey focused on pregnancy-related issues. The researchers found that about 25% of women disclosed that they became pregnant after their HIV diagnosis. About 60% of pregnancies were unintended. As a result, the researchers suggested that “a gap in family planning specific to HIV-positive women exists.” Furthermore, the researchers said that their finding “underscores the need for improved integration of family planning care as part of comprehensive HIV care for women.”

Study details

Researchers with the Canadian HIV Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Cohort Study (CHIWOS) used several methods-word of mouth, advertisements in HIV clinics, community clinics and social media (Facebook, Twitter)-to recruit 1,165 HIV-positive women between August 2013 and May 2015.

The average profile of women upon entering the study was as follows:

  • age – 41 years
  • major ethno-racial groups – white: 41%; African/Caribbean/Black: 30%; Indigenous: 22%
  • province of residence – BC: 24%; Ontario: 52%; Quebec: 24%
  • 31% had a history of injecting street drugs
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