Pregnancy planning preferences among people and couples affected by human immunodeficiency virus: Piloting a discrete choice experiment.

Decision-making related to pregnancy planning is complex and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may further complicate the process. With increasing rates of pregnancy among individuals affected by HIV, the need to understand decision-making is imperative. The primary objectives of this pilot study were to confirm the feasibility of using discrete choice experimentation (DCE) to elicit an understanding of this process and to determine the acceptability of the choice factors that were included in two novel DCEs, while gathering a preliminary understanding of preference. The choice attributes were risk of vertical HIV transmission, risk of horizontal HIV transmission, cost, probability of conception, method of conception, and travel time. Thirteen respondents completed a DCE for serodiscordant couples in which the female partner was HIV-positive, and 12 respondents completed a DCE for seroconcordant couples. All respondents' utility for an increased chance of a successful pregnancy was positive and statistically significant. In the serodiscordant dyads, the attributes of risk of horizontal transmission, risk of vertical transmission, a 5-h travel time to clinic, and cost were significantly associated with decreased utility. In the seroconcordant dyads, only the attributes of chance of risk of vertical transmission and cost were significantly associated with decreased utility. The serodiscordant dyads preferred home insemination with a syringe and the seroconcordant couples preferred conception methods within fertility clinics, over condomless sex with timed ovulation. On average, participants were willing to pay more for greater chance of conception and less willing to pay for increased risk of transmission. Couples affected by HIV are willing to participate in a DCE and the attributes that were included all seem relevant except risk of vertical transmission. There are various real-life trade-offs that are made during pregnancy planning with HIV and better understanding of these can be useful for clinicians during preconception counseling.

Pathways From HIV-Related Stigma to Antiretroviral Therapy Measures in the HIV Care Cascade for Women Living With HIV in Canada.

BACKGROUND: Associations between HIV-related stigma and reduced antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence are widely established, yet the mechanisms accounting for this relationship are underexplored. There has been less attention to HIV-related stigma and its associations with ART initiation and current ART use. We examined pathways from HIV-related stigma to ART initiation, current ART use, and ART adherence among women living with HIV in Canada. METHODS: We used baseline survey data from a national cohort of women living with HIV in Canada (n = 1425). Structural equation modeling using weighted least squares estimation methods was conducted to test the direct effects of HIV-related stigma dimensions (personalized, negative self-image, and public attitudes) on ART initiation, current ART use, and 90% ART adherence, and indirect effects through depression and HIV disclosure concerns, adjusting for sociodemographic factors. RESULTS: In the final model, the direct paths from personalized stigma to ART initiation (ß = -0.104, P < 0.05) and current ART use (ß = -0.142, P < 0.01), and negative self-image to ART initiation (ß = -0.113, P < 0.01) were significant, accounting for the mediation effects of depression and HIV disclosure concerns. Depression mediated the pathways from personalized stigma to ART adherence, and negative self-image to current ART use and ART adherence. Final model fit indices suggest that the model fit the data well [χ(25) = 90.251, P < 0.001; comparative fit index = 0.945; root-mean-square error of approximation = 0.044]. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-related stigma is associated with reduced likelihood of ART initiation and current ART use, and suboptimal ART adherence. To optimize the benefit of ART among women living with HIV, interventions should reduce HIV-related stigma and address depression.