Abstract:
Background: The reproductive decision made by human immune virus infected patients have a
long term consequences for survival and well beings of their families and societies at large. So, a
better understanding of the fertility desire and service provision for individuals living with human
immune virus offers many opportunities for them and others. However, the extent of fertility
desire of peoples living with human immune virus and as well as factors determining it were not
well studied. Thus, the main objective of this study is to assess the fertility desire and associated
factors among attendants of anti-retro-viral clinics in public health facilities of Jimma zone.
Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was employed to assess the magnitude of fertility
desire and associated factors among attendants of anti-retro-viral clinics from July 8 to August 9,
2022. The study was carried out on 421 study participants who were selected by simple random
sampling technique. Data was collected by face-to-face interview using a structured and pre-tested
questionnaire. After checking the completeness and consistency of epidemiological data and SPSS
soft wares were used for data entry and statistical analysis respectively. Descriptive statistics were
used to present the study findings. Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was
carried out to identify a statistical association between dependent and independent variables.
Finally, adjusted odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval was used to measure the strength of
association between dependent and independent variables, and a P-value of <0.05 was used to
declare statistical significance.
RESULTS: A total of 421 eligible HIV-positive individuals were recruited with a 100% response
rate. The mean (±SD) age was 33.31(±8.821) years. A total of 280 (66.0%) with 95% CI (61.5%,
70.5%) have desire to have children, Age category 25-34yrs (AOR=3.67,95% CI:1.99, 11.24),
being married (AOR= 11.74, 95% CI: 4.01, 34.34), having no child (AOR: 4.17, 95% CI: 1.67,
10.34), having higher education (AOR=8.96, 95% CI: 2.68, 29.90) good self-attitude, participant‟s
occupation and income were the factors associated with fertility desire.
CONCLUSION: This study indicated that a large proportion of the HIV-positive individuals
desired to have children. Adult age, educational, marital and occupational status, income, number
of children and self-attitude towards child bearing practice were factors that show significant
association with fertility desire. So sexual and reproductive service designed for HIV patients
should address these factors.
