Predicting pregnancy in HIV-1-discordant couples

Abstract

This study examines the incidence and predictors of pregnancy in HIV-1-discordant couples from Nairobi, Kenya. Women from 454 discordant couples were followed for up to 2 years. One-year cumulative incidence of pregnancy was 9.7%. Pregnancy rates did not differ significantly between HIV-1-infected and uninfected women (HR = 1.46). The majority of pregnancies occurred among women < 30 years old reporting a desire for future children (1-year incidence 22.2%). Pregnancy rates may be high among discordant couples, indicating desire for children may override concerns of HIV-1 transmission and increase unprotected sex, and highlighting the need to make conception safer.

Fig. 1

Female participants in HIV-1-discordant couples were tested for pregnancy every 3 months. Estimated cumulative incidence is shown for [- - -] women age < 30 years and reporting a desire for additional children (n = 133), [–·–] women age ≥ 30 years and reporting a desire for additional children (n = 109), […] women age < 30 years and not reporting a desire for additional children (n = 62), and [—] women age ≥ 30 years and not reporting a desire for additional children (n = 142)