Prevalence and determinants of fertility intentions of HIV-Infected women and men receiving antiretroviral therapy at Sankatana centre in Maseru

Ntsoaki Mapetla, National University of Lesotho
Qenehelo Matjama, Partners in Health, Lesotho

Lesotho has the second highest HIV prevalence in world. As part of the response to the country HIV epidemic, the government of Lesotho made a decision to provide HIV comprehensive care and treatment in the public sector in 2004. This paper aims to fill the gap in knowledge regarding prevalence and fertility intentions of HIV-positive men and women receiving ART care. Specifically the paper aims to document current fertility and assess the determinants of fertility intentions of HIV-positive men and women receiving ART at the Sankatana ART facility. Preliminary results show that 46 per cent of the respondents want to have children in future and that more men than women want to have children in future. Analysis of reasons for wanting to have a child in future suggests that people do not alter their reproductive intentions because of HIV status and that having a child is regarded as an important part of marriage.