Objective: To assess preferences and concerns about infecting partner or child among HIV-positive women undergoing antiretroviral therapy and whose partners are HIV-negative.
Method: In this cross-sectional study conducted in Nigeria, 55 HIV-positive women undergoing antiretroviral therapy and married to seronegative men answered an anonymous questionnaire regarding whether they preferred to conceive naturally or by means of an assisted reproductive technique (ART).
Results: Compared with older women (mean age 33.6+/-5.1 years), younger women (mean age, 29.8+/-3.9 years) were significantly more likely to choose natural conception than ART (P=0.02). Moreover, whereas 23 respondents (48.9%) reported consistent condom use, 11 (23.4%) reported never using condoms after initiation of antiretroviral therapy. There was a significant difference in the consistent use of condoms between those who preferred natural conception and those who preferred ART (56.8% vs 20%, P=0.049).
Conclusion: With improving immunologic and clinical status once antiretroviral therapy is initiated, HIV-positive women wishing to become pregnant may engage in risky sexual practices. This trend needs to be addressed because of its consequences for public health.