Prevalence and Factors Associated with Contraceptive Use Among Females Living with HIV at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret, Kenya

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence of, and the factors associated with, contraceptive use among females living with HIV at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret, Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a sample including a total of 375 females living with HIV aged 15–49 years undergoing follow-up. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was done to check for association and predictors of contraceptive use. Results: The contraceptive prevalence rate was 64%. Factors associated with contraceptive utilisation included parity (crude odds ratio [COR]: 2.33; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22–4.45; P=0.010), marital status (COR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.04–2.97; P=0.036), and availability of information on the side effects of the contraception methods (COR: 29.93; 95% CI: 14.26–70.58; P=0.001). Multivariate analysis showed a significant association between contraceptive use and whether information on the side effects of the current contraception method was provided (adjusted OR: 34.98; 95% CI: 16.72–83.33; P=0.001).The odds of meeting the contraceptive needs of females living with HIV was 34 times higher among females who had information on side effects of the contraceptives than their counterparts who had no information. Conclusions: The contraceptive prevalence rate was 64% among females living with HIV, higher than latest national value of 61%. Females living with HIV had a high unmet need for contraceptive use at 28.4%. Key factors associated with contraceptive utilisation included awareness of side effects.