New possibilities for treatment and control of AIDS have reinforced hope for life among patients, in that these circumstances have influenced choices related to family planning. This study of qualitative nature sought to investigate the contraceptive choices used by women carrying HIV or AIDS, as well as their difficulty in using such methods. The subjects studied were 31 HIV-positive women being treated at a public hospital in Fortaleza-CE, in 2003. Of those interviewed, 20 (64%) reported being in sexual activity. Of these, 17 (85%) informed use of some kind of contraception, such as: male condom (regular and irregular use), coitus interruptus, female sterilization, the rhythm method and abstinence from sex. Two women did not refer to contraceptive measures. The difficulties indicated by women were lack of knowledge of bodily anatomy, lack of safety and confidence in methods, their own difficulty in accepting the method and difficulty in negotiation method with partners.
Women's health; HIV; AIDS; Contraception
