Repeat pregnancies among women with known HIV-positive status in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe

Background: Chitungwiza urban PMTCT programme has shown an increase in the number of known HIV-positive pregnant women enrolling in antenatal care (ANC). In 2009, 116 (8.4%) out of 1,376, booked for ANC with known HIV-positive status and in 2010 they were 79 (11.1%) out of 712. It was not known whether these pregnancies were planned or unplanned.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in Chitungwiza from April-September 2011. Multi-gravida women enrolled in the PMTCT programme with known HIV-positive status (n=170) were interviewed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and focus group discussions of 10-15 women. Quantitative data was analysed using Epi- Info Version 3.3.

Results: Of the 170 respondents, 137 (80.6%) experienced unplanned repeat pregnancies. Reasons for becoming pregnant varied: 75 (44.1%) reported their pregnancy was due to pressure from their partner, 32 (18.8%) were denied the right to use contraception by partners or health workers and 87 (51.2%) respondents could not afford these methods.

Conclusion: The HIV-positive women in this study faced challenges in controlling their fertility and experienced unplanned pregnancies. Chitungwiza municipality should waive fees for contraceptives and make long-acting and permanent FP methods freely available.