Fertility desire and associated factors among attendants Of art clinic at public health facilities of jimma zone, Oromia region, south west ethiopia

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.