Background: Despite known advantages of family planning (FP) services,
there has been a slow increase in uptake of services in Tanzania. HIV
positive women have limited access to FP services. Governments’ policies
and guidelines have ensured access to free Reproductive Health (RH) and
FP services. Several challenges contributed to low uptake of family
planning services in HIV positive women.
Objective: To determine relevant factors affecting the utilization of FP
services among women living with HIV and provide recommendations to
improve the uptake of FP services.
Method: Literature review done on utilization of family planning services
among HIV positive women in Tanzania and SSA.
Findings: A combination of factors contributes to low uptake of FP
services in HIV positive women these includes policy and services delivery
related factors studied focused on public, private, private for profit
providers. Unavailability of FP guideline is among challenges observed
that are within government capacity to improve RH services including FP
to HIV positive women.
Other factors were related to clients and community. Knowledge on FP
services is importance to HIV positive women is a major issue.
CONCLUSION: In spite efforts by the government to improve access to
FP services, women living with HIV are not targeted. It is important for
the government to replicate efforts of FP implementing partners and roll
out FP services to HIV positive women.
RECOMMENDATION: The government should reinforce RH policy to
ensure FP services to HIV positive women and educate community on
benefits of modern FP to HIV positive women.