High risk behaviour and fertility desires among heterosexual HIV-positive patients with a serodiscordant partner--two challenging issues

Publication

High risk behaviour and fertility desires among heterosexual HIV-positive patients with a serodiscordant partner--two challenging issues

Journal Paper/Review - Feb 22, 2003

Panozzo Laura, Battegay Manuel, Friedl Andree, Vernazza Pietro, Swiss Cohort Study

Citation

Panozzo L, Battegay M, Friedl A, Vernazza P, Swiss Cohort Study. High risk behaviour and fertility desires among heterosexual HIV-positive patients with a serodiscordant partner--two challenging issues. Swiss medical weekly : official journal of the Swiss Society of Infectious Diseases, the Swiss Society of Internal Medicine, the Swiss Society of Pneumology 2003; 133:124-7.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Swiss medical weekly : official journal of the Swiss Society of Infectious Diseases, the Swiss Society of Internal Medicine, the Swiss Society of Pneumology 2003; 133

Publication Date

Feb 22, 2003

Issn Print

1424-7860

Pages

124-7

Brief description/objective

AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate fertility intentions and condom use among HIV-positive persons. METHODS: Multicentre study based on anonymous data collection (questionnaire). RESULTS: 114 questionnaires providing complete information were evaluated. 45% of HIV-positive women and 38% of HIV-positive men expressed the desire for children. Irrespective of this wish, half the study participants felt that health care providers would not sufficiently address their concerns regarding relationship, sexuality and fertility intentions. In HIV-discordant heterosexual couples, consistent condom use was mentioned by 73% of respondents. Among study participants no significant relationship between HAART, viral load and inconsistent condom use was found. In contrast, information on condom use obtained from the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS), where the information is obtained by interview, gave higher estimates (88%) of consistent condom use. CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of HIV-infected individuals express a wish for parenthood. Issues related to fertility intentions and sexual relations need to be addressed more frequently by health care providers. Non-anonymous data collection on condom use may underestimate high risk behaviour.