HIV This Week

Balkus J, Bosire R, John-Stewart G, et al. High Uptake of Postpartum Hormonal Contraception Among HIV-1-Seropositive Women in Kenya. Sex Transm Dis 2006 May 9 [Epub ahead of print]

The authors aimed to determine patterns of contraceptive utilization among sexually active HIV-1-seropositive women postpartum and to identify correlates of hormonal contraception uptake, in a resource-constrained setting. Among 319 HIV-1-infected women, median time to sexual activity postpartum was 2 months and 231 (72%) women used hormonal contraception for at least 2 months during follow-up, initiating use at approximately 3 months postpartum (range, 1-11 months). Overall, 101 (44%) used DMPA, 71 (31%) oral contraception, and 59 (25%) switched methods during follow-up. Partner notification, infant mortality, and condom use were similar between those using and not using contraception. The authors conclude that, using existing healthcare infrastructure it is possible to achieve high levels of postpartum hormonal contraceptive utilization among HIV-1-seropositive women.