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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Canada Post has provided notification of restarting their operations on December 17, 2024. As Canada Post ramps up and stabilizes their services, the BC-CfE will continue the following measures on an interim basis to minimize service disruption to BC-CfE clients and providers.

  • The BC-CfE Laboratory will utilize private courier for delivery of outgoing reports and documents. (Lab Contact Information: Phone 604-806-8775; FAX 604-806-9463)
  • The BC-CfE Drug Treatment Program (DTP) will fax outgoing forms and documents to the provider’s office. (DTP Contact Information: Phone 604-806-8515; FAX 604-806-9044)
  • St. Paul’s Hospital Ambulatory Pharmacy will utilize private courier for delivery of medications. (Contact Information: Phone 1-800-547-3622; FAX 604-806-8675)

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