A recent study was conducted in Ontario, Canada, to determine the current fertility intentions of HIV-positive women. Researchers found that more HIV-positive women than before are planning on becoming pregnant. The implications of the study call for health care providers and policy makers to prepare the necessary services for HIV-positive women planning pregnancy.

Ontario was selected as a suitable sample population because its relaxed immigration policies allow for a large population of African refugees. It is thought that because of these qualities, the study results are indicative of the global female HIV community.

Of the 490 women included in the study, 69 percent desired to become pregnant and 58 percent intended to. This is a significant increase from two previous North American studies, which indicated fertility intentions of 26 percent and 29 percent.

This increase is presumably an outcome of widespread use and success of antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART has raised the life expectancy and quality of life for HIV-positive women and has also decreased mother-to-child transmission.

Additionally, a previous study has determined that over 80 percent of HIV-positive women are of reproductive age.

Thus, fertility and pregnancy planning are expected to have an increased role in HIV treatment and care. Though global research is underway in these areas, the study asserts that more research is necessary to support the population of current and future expectant HIV-positive individuals and families.

Health care providers will need to expand the services they offer and prepare to provide the increasing numbers of HIV-positive mothers-to-be with prenatal guidelines and advice. It is hoped that the results of this study are the first step towards the creation of a fertility and pregnancy planning program for HIV-positive individuals in Ontario, and eventually elsewhere as well.

The researchers from this study also hope to conduct a similar investigation among HIV-positive males, to further the implications of their results.

For more information, please see the study at the Public Library of Science. Also see the related AIDS Beacon articles on ART and pregnancy and AIDS and adoption.