Dual contraception method use and determinant factors among HIV-positive women of reproductive age in Hawassa, Sidama, Ethiopia, an institutional-based cross-sectional study.

Background: The use of a dual contraception method (DCM) is recommended as an effective method to prevent Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) transmission and the adverse consequences of pregnancy in people living with HIV infection. In developing countries like Ethiopia, contraception use is subjected to sociocultural, knowledge, and accessibility-related factors that influence consumption. Accordingly, this study aims to explore the magnitude of DCM use and factors related to consumption in HIV-positive women of reproductive age.

Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. The study used a systematic sampling technique to select 268 consenting participants. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire via face-to-face interview. Descriptive statistics were used to present background information, and a hierarchical binary logistic regression was used to investigate DCM use and associated factors. Results with a p-value less than 0.05 are considered significant. All data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26.

Results: The magnitude of DCM use was 30% (95% CI; 24.0-35.0). After controlling for potential confounding variables women aged 15-36 years, (AOR = 8.65, 95% CI: 2.60, 28.75) and 37-40 years, (AOR = 6.25, 95% CI, 2.08, 18.82), women with no fertility desire (AOR = 8.34, 95% CI: 3.95, 17.61), women who have open discussions with their partners (AOR = 5.71, 95% CI: 2.15, 15.11), and women with knowledge of CD4 count (AOR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.35, 6.38) were found to have a higher likelihood of DCM use.

Conclusions: The magnitude of DCM use among reproductive-age HIV-positive women was unsatisfactory. This provided an enormous window for counseling and reproductive health promotion measures. Interventional studies and strengthening of ART and family planning services must be customized to target the major social, cultural, and knowledge barriers identified in this study to enhance the practice of DCM use.