Factors Influencing Reproductive Choices of HIV Infected Women in India

Emily Das, IntraHealth International, Inc.

There has been growing concern in India about reproductive decisions of women with HIV. In a feasibility study of preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission in Mumbai, 198 HIV-infected women were interviewed to understand how the desire for future children is associated with a range of socio-demographic, HIV-related, and psychological factors. Nearly one-third were pregnant and the majority intended to continue the pregnancy. Logistic regression found that not having a male child, a marriage duration of 1-3 years, lower family income, and migrant status were significant predictors of the desire for an additional child. Prominently, an increase in active-behavioral coping and physical functioning was positively related to the desire for children. Time since knowing the HIV status was inversely related, while husband not being tested for HIV was positively related with the fertility desire.