Induced abortion among HIV-positive women in Quang Ninh and Hai Phong, Vietnam

Abstract

Summary objectives: To explore the decision of induced abortion among HIV-positive women and examine how the decision is associated with socioeconomic characteristics and the availability of comprehensive programmes aiming at preventing mother to child transmission of HIV.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in two provinces of Northern Vietnam. In all 707 HIV-positive women were recruited through collaboration with commune health centres and peer groups. Information was obtained on women's socioeconomic characteristics and pregnancy outcomes before and after HIV diagnosis. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to measure the association between socioeconomic characteristics and induced abortion.

Results: Among women who had been pregnant while being aware of their HIV-positive status, 68% stated having had an induced abortion, whereas 22% of the women who had not been aware of their HIV status stated the same. Induced abortion after HIV diagnosis was associated with being aged 30 or older (OR 5.44, 95% CI 1.28-23.02), being petty traders or independent labourers (OR 3.61, 95% CI 1.05-12.45) and being diagnosed with HIV in 2004 and earlier (OR 2.96, 95% CI 1.02-8.53).

Conclusions: Awareness of HIV-positive status is related with an increased tendency to have an induced abortion.