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Promoting reproductive options for HIV ‐affected couples in sub‐Saharan Africa
Author(s) -
Mmeje O,
Cohen CR,
Murage A,
Ong'ech J,
Kiarie J,
Poel S
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/1471-0528.12876
Subject(s) - serodiscordant , reproductive health , condom , psychological intervention , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , medicine , environmental health , family medicine , population , nursing , viral load , syphilis , antiretroviral therapy
HIV ‐affected couples face unique challenges that require access to information and reproductive services to prevent HIV transmission to the uninfected partner and offspring while allowing couples to fulfil their reproductive goals. In regions of high HIV prevalence in sub‐Saharan Africa, HIV ‐affected couples require multipurpose prevention technologies ( MPT s) to enhance their reproductive healthcare options beyond contraception and prevention of HIV /sexually transmitted infections ( STI s) to include assistance in childbearing. The unique characteristics of the condom and its accepted use in conjunction with safer conception interventions allow HIV ‐serodiscordant couples an opportunity to maintain reproductive health, prevent HIV / STI transmission, and achieve their reproductive goals while timing conception. Re‐thinking the traditional view of the condom and incorporating a broader reproductive health perspective of HIV ‐affected couples into MPT methodologies will impact demand, acceptability and uptake of these future technologies.