Voluntary pregnancy termination among women with HIV in the HAART era (2002-2008): A case series from a national study

Marco Floridia, Enrica Tamburrini, Cecilia Tibaldi, Gianfranco Anzidei, Maria Luisa Muggiasca, Alessandra Meloni, Brunella Guerra, Anna MacCabruni, Atim Molinari, Arsenio Spinillo, Serena Dalzero, Marina Ravizza

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

There is limited information about the determinants of voluntary pregnancy termination (VPT) among women with HIV in the current context of wide access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). To investigate this issue, we analysed the characteristics of a series of VPTs which occurred in an ongoing observational national study of pregnant women with HIV between 2002 and 2008. Sixty-three cases of VPT were compared with 334 pregnancies not ending in a VPT concurrently reported from the same centres. VPTs showed significant associations with unplanned pregnancy (odds ratio [OR]: 24.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.8-101.2), previous pregnancies reported to the study (OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.30-4.82), lower CD4 counts (270 vs. 420 cells/mm3), and HIV-infected current partner (OR: 1.88; 95% CI: 0.97-3.63). Our data indicate that there is still the need to improve pregnancy planning among women with HIV, and strongly suggest that interventions aimed at improving pregnancy planning might also reduce the occurrence of VPT. Women with low CD4 counts and those with an HIV-infected partner represent two groups that should receive particular attention in preventive strategies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)50-53
Number of pages4
JournalAIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV
Volume22
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2010

Keywords

  • Abortion
  • HIV
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy termination
  • Women

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Social Psychology
  • Health(social science)

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