Effect of HIV/AIDS on fertility: historical evidence from South Africa’s women educators

Abstract

Context/Background: The HIV/AIDS epidemic remains a public health challenge. Globally, South Africa ranks second in HIV prevalence and has the second lowest fertility rate in sub-Saharan Africa. The effect of HIV/AIDS on fertility is contentious, although it is often assumed in population projections that HIV/AIDS reduces fertility. This study examines the effect of HIV/AIDS on the probability of getting pregnant among South Africa’s educators controlling for confounders. Data Source and Methods: The data consisted of a representative sample of educators in public schools in South Africa in 2004. Statistical analysis utilized multivariate logistic regression. Results: Controlling for confounders, HIV positive women educators aged 18-34 had higher odds of being pregnant in the preceding 12 months compared with HIV negative women educators in the same age group. Conclusion: There was no evidence from this study that HIV positive women were less likely to be pregnant than HIV negative women.