OBJECTIVES

Resource restricted settings have less access to health care services. Women living with HIV have relatively lower contraceptive prevalence rate and higher unmet need for family planning as compared to general population. This study assessed contraceptive practices and factors affecting contraceptive use and unmet need for family planning among women living with HIV of reproductive age in a resource restricted setting.

METHODS

A cross sectional survey was carried out by International Centre for Reproductive Health, Ghent University, Belgium, by selecting rural and remote villages of far western province of Nepal as study site. Self-designed data collection proforma was developed to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, reproductive health and contraceptive practices of HIV positive women of reproductive age (15 to 49 years). The primary outcome measures were contraceptive use and unmet need for family planning. Data entry and analysis were done using IBM SPSS statistic V.20. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify socio-demographic factors affecting contraceptive use and unmet need for family planning.

RESULTS

Of the 140 participants, 73 (52.1 %) were using at least one contraceptive method. Barrier method was predominantly used (47.9%). Overall unmet need for family planning was 15.0 %. Unavailability of family planning services in their locality [adjusted OR (95%CI) =8.44 (1.81-39.39)] and husband's disapproval [adjusted OR (95%CI) =10.41 (4.40-24.60)] had significantly affected the contraceptive use. Unavailability of family planning services in their locality [adjusted OR (95%CI) =9.28 (1.54-55.88)], husband's opposition to family planning [adjusted OR (95%CI) =10.41 (4.40-24.60)] and being more than 35 years [adjusted OR (95% CI) =15.13 (1.45-158.02)] were significantly associated with unmet need for family planning.

CONCLUSIONS

More comprehensive family planning and counseling packages should be provided for more equitable access to services for women living with HIV in resource restricted settings.

Key words: Contraceptive practices, Resource restricted setting, Women living with HIV