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ABSTRACT
Background/objective: Advances in antiretroviral therapy and assisted reproduction technology which allow for longer and healthier lives and safer conception options necessitate a new understanding of the sexual and reproductive needs of persons living with HIV (PLHIV). This study examines fertility desire and motives for having children among PLHIV in Jamaica and explores the association with depressive symptoms.
Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 251 PLHIV in their reproductive years voluntarily completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire. SPSS analyses involved bivariate and logistic regression models significant at p < .05.
Results: A desire to have children was expressed by 66% (n = 166), mostly males and persons younger than 40 years. Of those in a current relationship (n = 126), not having previous children best predicted fertility desire (p = .001; CI 0.04–0.44) as well as motives to conceive (p = .02; CI 0.01–0.66). PLHIVs in their reproductive years who are at depression risk are those in a sero-discordant relationship (p = .01; CI 1.48–30.22) and who have been diagnosed between 1 and 4 years (p = .05; CI 0.01–1.04).
Conclusions: HIV status does not dampen the desire to have future children. There is need to evaluate the sexual, reproductive and mental health needs of PLHIV.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.