Uptake and Persistence of Safer Conception Strategies Among South African Women Planning for Pregnancy

Bibliographic Data

ID15337888
AuthorsOluwaseyi O Isehunwa (0000-0001-6439-0026, University of Alabama at Birmingham, corresponding author), Manjeetha Jaggernath (University of the Witwatersrand), Yolandie Kriel (0000-0003-3910-4045, University of the Witwatersrand), Christina Psaros (0000-0002-0705-2239, Harvard University), Mxolisi Mathenjwa (0000-0002-0561-3274, Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa), Kathleen E Hurwitz (Target (United States)), Kara Bennett (0000-0002-9465-8983, Target (United States)), Patricia M Smith (0000-0003-4686-224X, University of Alabama at Birmingham), David R Bangsberg (0000-0002-6352-8908, VinUniversity), Jeanne Marrazzo (0000-0002-9277-7364, University of Alabama at Birmingham), Jeanne M Marrazzo, Jessica E Haberer (0000-0001-5845-3190, Harvard University), Jp Smit (0000-0002-5337-5995, University of the Witwatersrand), Jennifer A Smit, Lynn T Matthews (0000-0001-6167-6328, University of Alabama at Birmingham)
Year2024
Volume28
Issue12
Pages4029-4039
Publication date2024-09-06
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAIDS and Behavior (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1090-7165 • E-ISSN: 1573-3254
PublisherSpringer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1007/s10461-024-04475-z
PMID39240299
OpenAlexW4402314751
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited38

Safer conception strategies can minimize HIV acquisition during periconception periods among women living in HIV-endemic areas. We examined uptake and predictors of persistent use of the same safer conception strategy among a cohort of HIV-uninfected South African women ages 18-35 years planning for pregnancy with a partner living with HIV or of unknown HIV-serostatus. The safer conception strategies we evaluated included oral PrEP, condomless sex limited to peak fertility, and waiting for a better time to have a child (until, for example, the risks of HIV acquisition are reduced and/or the individual is prepared to care for a child); persistence was defined as using the same safer conception strategy from the first visit through 9 months follow-up. Modified Poisson regression models were used to examine predictors of persistent use of the same strategy. The average age of 227 women in our cohort was 24.6 (range: 18.0, 35.7) years. In this cohort, 121 (74.2%) women reported persisting in the same strategy through 9 months. Employment and HIV knowledge were associated with the persistent use of any strategy. Our results highlight the need to provide safer conception services to women exposed to HIV during periconception periods. Findings also offer some insights into factors that might influence persistent use. Further research is needed to better understand how to involve male partners and how their involvement might influence women's consistent use of safer conception strategies during periconception periods

Biology · Cohort · Cohort study · Environmental health · Family medicine · Fertility · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Poisson regression · Population · Pregnancy · Public health · SAFER · Serostatus · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Demography · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Nursing

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