Family planning utilization among people living with HIV: a cross-sectional study at the Kumasi South Hospital, Ghana

prevention of unintended pregnancies among Women Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (WLWHIV) through family planning is a highly cost-effective vertical transmission prevention strategy. This study evaluated the family planning utilization and fertility needs among adults Persons Living with HIV (PLWHIV) in a regional hospital in Ghana.

this was a cross-sectional study conducted at the HIV clinic of Kumasi South Hospital, a regional hospital in Ghana. Study participants (n=602) were sampled and interviewed using questionnaires to determine the consistent use of contraception. A descriptive analysis was done to determine the rate of consistent contraceptive use. A multivariable analysis was used to assess factors affecting the consistent use of contraception among PLWHIV at a statistical significance of 0.05.

barrier contraception is the most well-known and widely used among study participants (>98%). Factors associated with increased odds of consistent use of contraception included marital status, HIV infection, duration of 4 or more years, and receipt of family planning assistance. However, having a seropositive sexual partner was associated with less consistent use of contraception.

barrier contraception, the most popular method among PLHIV, is less effective in reducing unintended pregnancies. Efforts to meet the contraception needs of PLHIV should be focused on dual contraception (barrier and long-term reversible methods) to reduce HIV transmission, dual HIV infections, and unintended pregnancies.