Sexual life, options for contraception and intention for conception in HIV-positive people on successful antiretroviral therapy in Thailand.

This article reports on the sexual life of HIV-positive heterosexual men and women in a stable relationship and on successful antiretroviral therapy in Thailand. We focused on one side on their sexual practices and options for contraception, and on the other on their intention for conception and factors influencing it, in the time of highly active antiretroviral therapy. In a cross-sectional study, 200 participants completed a questionnaire. Eleven female participants took part in focus group discussions (FGD), based on their intention for conception. We used descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and Chi-square exact test to present the results from the questionnaire, and a narrative approach for the FGD results. The median age of the participants was 37 years. Almost all were sexually active (88%) and rarely engaged in risky sexual behavior. The most common method of contraception for women was the male condom (95%), followed by female sterilization (40%). Almost all men reported consistent condom use. One-third of the main sexual partners were HIV-negative. The intention for conception was significantly less after being diagnosed with HIV (29% intended pregnancies after HIV diagnosis vs. 72% before HIV diagnosis). Nevertheless, 25% of the participants expressed a desire to have a child. We found a significant positive association between the intention for conception and less years of being married, the lower number of children and the higher levels of education. Therefore, we conclude that HIV-positive men and women are sexually active and in need of comprehensive reproductive health care services including counseling on safe ways to conceive and offering a diverse choice of contraceptive methods to those who do not wish to have children.

Contraception in HIV-positive female adolescents.

Sexual behavior of HIV-positive youths, whether infected perinatally, through risky behavior or other ways, is not substantially different from that of HIV-uninfected peers. Because of highly active antiretroviral therapy, increasing number of children, infected perinatally, are surviving into adolescence and are becoming sexually active and need reproductive health services. The objective of this article is to review the methods of contraception appropriate for HIV-positive adolescents with a special focus on hormonal contraceptives. Delaying the start of sexual life and the use of two methods thereafter, one of which is the male condom and the other a highly effective contraceptive method such as hormonal contraception or an intrauterine device, is currently the most effective option for those who desire simultaneous protection from both pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Health care providers should be aware of the possible pharmacokinetic interactions between hormonal contraception and antiretrovirals. There is an urgent need for more information regarding metabolic outcomes of hormonal contraceptives, especially the effect of injectable progestins on bone metabolism, in HIV-positive adolescent girls.

An Integrated Approach to HIV Disclosure for HIV-Affected Families in Thailand.

Disclosure of HIV status to family members could improve communication, relationship, and cohesion. We evaluated the impact of a family-centered program designed to increase the readiness/willingness of parents to disclose HIV status to their children. People living with HIV (PLWH) with children ≥8 years were surveyed regarding HIV knowledge, family relationship, attitudes, willingness/readiness to disclose, and they were then invited to participate in group education and family camps. Of 367 PLWH surveyed, 0.8% had disclosed, 14.7% had not yet disclosed but were willing/ready to disclose, 50.4% were willing but not ready, and 33.2% did not wish to disclose. The educational sessions and camps led to significant improvements of HIV knowledge and disclosure techniques, and readiness/willingness to disclose. Given the benefits of group education and family camps in supporting PLWH to improve their communication with their families and disclose their HIV status, these supporting activities should be included in HIV programs.