Fertility Intentions and Use of Contraception among Monogamous Couples in Northern Malawi in the Context of HIV Testing

Albert L. N. Dube, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
Angela Baschieri, University of Southampton
Sian Floyd, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
Fiona R. Parrott, University of Amsterdam
Anna Molesworth, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
Neil French, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)
Judith R. Glynn, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)

Few studies have analysed the relationship between fertility intentions and HIV awareness in couples and how spousal differences in fertility intentions influence use of contraception. This study, using data on fertility intentions and information on HIV status of couples linked to an on-going demographic surveillance system in Karonga district in Northern Malawi will investigate how knowledge of HIV status alters men’s, women’s and couples’ fertility intentions and how existing differences in fertility intentions influence use of contraception. We found that knowledge of HIV positive status led to an increase in the reported desire to cease childbearing but there was limited evidence that this desire led to higher use of contraception. More efforts directed towards assisting HIV positive couples to access and use reproductive health services and limit HIV transmission among couples are recommended.