The perceived benefit of the disability grant for persons living with HIV in an informal settlement community in the Western Cape, South Africa.

For persons living with HIV (PLWH) in limited socioeconomic circumstances in South Africa, social grants for disability have contributed significantly to alleviate poverty, yet there is a risk that recipients may lose these grants once they are clinically stable on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Our qualitative research explored perceptions and experiences of PLWH on ART concerning the social grant for disability and its contribution to health. Three focus groups were conducted with 15 purposively selected participants who attended a primary care clinic in the Western Cape. A thematic data analysis approach revealed two themes: (a) disability grants as a means of survival and (b) disability grants and ART adherence. The disability grant was considered an essential source of income and, for some, the sole means of survival. Participants valued their health more than the income, however, and, despite the risk of losing the grant, remained adherent to ART.

Awareness and interest in intrauterine contraceptive device use among HIV-positive women in Cape Town, South Africa.

OBJECTIVE: To assess awareness of and interest in intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) use among HIV-positive women in Cape Town, South Africa. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. METHODS: HIV-positive women aged 18 through 45 years presenting for care at a primary health care clinic in Cape Town, South Africa participated in this study. Consented participants completed a staff-administered questionnaire in a private setting. Descriptive statistics were generated. Comparisons between demographic and reproductive health-related variables and IUCD awareness and interest were performed with multiple logistic regression. Analyses for IUCD interest excluded women with prior surgical sterilization. RESULTS: Of 277 HIV-positive women, 37% were aware of the IUCD; awareness was independently associated with greater age (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=1.15, 95%; confidence interval (CI): 1.10-1.20) and not switching contraceptive methods in the last year (AOR=2.45, 95% CI: 1.03-5.83). Following an IUCD information session, 86% of women (n=206/240) were interested in IUCD use. IUCD interest was inversely associated with age (AOR=0.91, 95% CI: 0.86-0.97) and marginally positively associated with current menstrual bleeding pattern complaints (AOR=2.14, 95% CI: 0.98-4.68). CONCLUSIONS: Despite low levels of method awareness, HIV-positive women in this setting are frequently interested in IUCD use, indicating need for programming to expand method access.