Reproductive issues in HIV-seropositive women: a survey regarding counseling, contraception, safer sex, and pregnancy choices.

Sixty-nine HIV-seropositive women were surveyed with regard to the reproductive counseling they had received, contraception, safer sex practices, pregnancy histories, and pregnancy plans. Of the women surveyed, 84% and 90%, respectively, felt that they had access to the birth control and safer sex methods of their choice. Less than half felt that their physician had adequately counseled them about birth control. Women primarily cited social workers (46.4%) or nurses (34.8%) as the counseling source for birth control and safer sex. When informed about the reduced risk of vertical transmission with zidovudine (AZT), 33 women indicated that information regarding AZT would affect their future pregnancy decisions. Health care professionals need to be aware of this and counsel patients accordingly.