Examining the contraceptive decisions of young,HIV-infected women: A qualitative study |
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Authors: | Jennifer L. Brown Lisa B. Haddad Nicole K. Gause Sarah Cordes Cecilia Bess Caroline C. King |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Psychiatry &2. Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA;3. Department of Gynecology &4. Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA;5. Department of Psychology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA;6. Department of Psychological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA;7. Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
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Abstract: | This study qualitatively examined factors that influenced contraceptive choices in a sample of young, HIV-infected women. Individual qualitative interviews were conducted among 30 vertically and horizontally HIV-infected women (n = 26 African American) from the ages of 14 to 24 years (Mean age = 20.9 years). We recruited sample groups with the following characteristics: (a) current contraceptive/condom use with ≥1 child (n = 11); (b) current contraceptive/condom use with no children (n = 12); and (c) no current contraceptive/condom use with no children (n = 7). A semi-structured interview guide was used to ask participants about factors influencing past and current contraceptive choices. Individual interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim; analyses to identify core themes were informed by the Grounded Theoretical approach. Young, HIV-infected women did not identify their HIV serostatus or disease-related concerns as influential in their contraceptive decisions. However, they reported that recommendations from health-care providers and input from family and friends influenced their contraceptive choices. They also considered a particular method’s advantages (e.g., menstrual cycle improvements) and disadvantages (e.g., increased pill burden) when selecting a method. Findings suggested that HIV-infected young women’s contraceptive decisions were influenced by factors other than those related to their infection. |
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Keywords: | Contraceptive decision making HIV United States young women |
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