Injectable contraceptives increase HIV risk
Najma Desai
20 October 2011
Women using injectable contraceptives are at a higher risk of HIV infection and transmission than those who use other non barrier contraceptive methods.
This is according to a new study published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases Journal. About 3790 serodiscordant heterosexual couples from 7 African countries were involved in the study which was conducted from 2007 to 2009.
Since the study targeted those in relationships it took into consideration that many of these women were not using barrier methods such as condoms for protection from HIV and other STIs and relied solely on oral or injectable contraceptives as a form of protection against pregnancy alone.
According to the National Antenatal Sentinel HIV and Syphilis Prevalence Survey females in the 25-39 age group are the hardest hit by HIV-1 infection. Within this group, those believed to mostly be in stable relationships (i.e. ages 30-34) have the highest HIV prevalence in the country.
This makes studies like these, aimed at addressing sexual risk among women in stable relationships, indespensible to HIV prevention efforts.
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