Abstract:
ackground: All women have the same rights concerning their reproduction and sexuality, but
women living with HIV/AIDS require additional care and counseling during their reproductive
life. In sub-Saharan Africa, women account for almost 6 out of every 10 persons living with
HIV/AIDS and the failure to implement intervention measures, known to reduce perinatal
transmission of HIV, accounts for the higher number of new pediatric cases.
Objective: The objective of this study was to describe HIV positive women’s behavioral intention
and its determinant factors to have pregnancy in the future.
Methods: A cross-sectional facility based study design, supplemented with in-depth interview
was employed in Assela referral hospital, from March 10- Aril 8, 2010. The theory of planned
behavior was used to develop the conceptual framework. Study participants were selected
randomly from clients who came to visit Assela hospital ART unit. Frequencies, percentages,
means and standard deviations were used for descriptive summary; and correlations to examine
the relationships among variables. Stepwise regression was used to identify important predictors
of pregnancy intention.
Results: There were 344 study participants with response rate of 95.3%. Majority of the
respondents (75.3%) were found highly knowledgeable about Prevention of Mother to Child
Transmission (PMTCT). Large number of women (29.1%) had intended pregnancy in the near
future. Respondents’ age, history of PMTCT service exposure, and PMTCT knowledge had
significant correlation and account 21.4% of the variability in pregnancy intention. Belief based
attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral controls had significant correlation with
pregnancy intention, and explain 36% of the variability in pregnancy intention, where belief
based attitude alone accounts 25.5%. In this study the theory of planned behavior and external
variables together explained 57.4% of the variability in pregnancy intention.
Conclusion and recommendation: Large number of HIV positive women were intended to have
pregnancy in the near future, where attitude towards pregnancy was found the major predictor.
Therefore, higher attention needs to be given on attitude towards pregnancy and strengthening
PMTCT services.
