Assessment of Sexual Behavior, Unmet Reproductive Health Needs and Fertility Intention of People Living with HIV/AIDS, Jimma, South West of Ethiopia
Providing effective reproductive health service to people living with HIV/AIDS requires understanding of their sexual behavior, fertility intention and unmet reproductive needs. Failure of having evidence based responses on gaps identified on these needs might bring an increased HIV incidence, unintended pregnancies, vertical transmission, stigma and discrimination. Facility based cross sectional study was conducted in southwest town of Jimma, Ethiopia. Quantitative data was collected 632 study participants from the ART. A structured interview administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Verbal and written consent was obtained from each client and data was collected by nurses. Data was analysed by SPSS version16 windows software. Most of the respondents 341(54.0%) were females, with a mean age of 29.6 ± 7.98 years. Most 86.7% were sexually active, of which 499(80.0) were had a regular partner. Casual sex was reported to be 35 (6.4%). Unprotected sexual contact was found to be 16.2% among male and 4.4% among females. Disclosure of own sero-status to partner was 90.7% while knowledge of Sexual Partner HIV status was 91.4%. Only 385 (70.3%) used condom always the remaining 163 (29.7%) used condom sometimes. Disclosure of own status to partner was 90.7% while STI after being diagnosed for HIV was nearly 12%. About quarter of the study population has expressed desire for fertility 149 (23.6%). Among the sexually active females, 229 (82.3%) used contraceptive. Methods used were injections 63 (27.5%), Pills 71 (31.0%), condom 84(36.7%) and IUD or implants 11(4.8%). More than 88% of women prefered integrated service of HIV care and Family planning service. Risky sexual behavior and fertility intention were high and need for integrated service was found the most wished for. Interventions should be made to assist people with HIV to make effective decisions on safe sex and fertility.
