Contraceptive use and factors associated with postpartum surgical sterilization among HIV-infected women in Pune, India

The authors desire to better understand contraceptive practices and factors associated with surgical tubal ligation (STL) among HIV-infected women. Secondary data were obtained from HIV-infected women enrolled in a National Institutes of Health–funded clinical trial assessing the efficacy of extended-dose nevirapine given to breastfed infants at a government hospital in Pune, India, and were analyzed. The most common contraceptive methods adopted were abstinence (55%), followed by STL (34%). Having a living male child and being multigravida were directly associated with acceptance of STL. Thorough contraceptive counseling services are needed for HIV-infected women so that STL is not perceived to be protective against sexually transmitted diseases and HIV transmission.