Urgent Call for Better Reproductive Care for HIV Women

Dr. Anir Chima Oduko, a researcher, has called for urgent improvements in reproductive health services for women living with HIV, citing significant gaps in access to quality care and low contraceptive uptake. Presenting findings from a study in Lagos, Oduko noted that while awareness of contraceptive methods is high—97% of respondents have heard of them and 94.6% can correctly define them—actual usage is low, with only 63.3% having ever used contraceptives and 26.8% being current users.

The study, co-researched with Prof. Mobolanl Balogun and funded by an early career grant from the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, identified key factors influencing contraceptive use, including the number of children and partners' HIV status. Oduko highlighted systemic challenges such as limited access to family planning services and misinformation about care quality.

She recommended a multi-level approach to improve access, strengthen counseling, enhance service quality, and integrate reproductive health services within HIV care to reduce unintended pregnancies and improve overall health outcomes for women living with HIV.