Background: Women living with HIV/AIDS possess fertility desires similar to their uninfected counterparts, and with advances in health therapies such as prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDs, these women can realistically raise HIV negative children. Preconception care (PC) is a specialized form of intervention that enhances safe motherhood
Objective: The study aimed to assess preconception and contraceptive care among women living with HIV and attending Antiretroviral Therapy Clinics.
Methods: This was a descriptive facility-based cross-sectional study of 383 women of reproductive age living with HIV/AIDS and attending ART clinics in the study area. Probability sampling methods were used in the selection procedures. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics at a 5% level of significance.
Results: Only 37.4% of respondents received optimal PC services. Utilization of any contraceptive was 30%. Younger age [OR =1.545, p = 0.06] was significantly related to receiving optimal preconception services. Being 20-29 years old [OR =1.716, p = 0.020], being 30-39 years [OR =1.514, p = 0.005], tertiary education [OR =8.43, p = 0.020], and being single [OR =2.00, p = 0.002] were significantly related to the utilization of contraceptives. Conclusion: There is a need to provide structure and guidelines for optimal streamlined PC and contraceptive services for women living with HIV/AIDS.
Keywords: Preconception care, Contraceptive care, HIV/AIDS, Women
