The Effects of HIV-Related Health Services on the Relationship between HIV Status and Fertility Preferences and Contraceptive Use in Nigeria and Zambia

Akinrinola Bankole, Guttmacher Institute
Isaac Adewole, University of Ibadan
Olutosin Awulode, University of Ibadan
Kumbutso Dzekedzeke, Independent Consultant

Recent uptakes in HIV-related services, drug treatments for HIV+ pregnant women to lower the risk of HIV transmission to newborns, and ART for HIV+ people to improve quality of health and lengthen life expectancy prompt questions about what this advancement means for individuals’ fertility preferences and contraceptive behavior. Little is known about how people react to these trends in HIV treatment. Using data from 2010 surveys in Nigeria and Zambia, we examine how knowledge of and access to ART and PMTCT services mediate the association between HIV status and fertility preference, and unmet need for contraception and condom use. We hypothesize that HIV+ people in both countries will be more likely to want to stop childbearing and to use contraceptives than HIV- people, but that this association will be attenuated by greater awareness of the availability and effectiveness of ART and PMTCT.