Childbearing and contraceptive-use plans among women at high risk for HIV infection--selected U.S. sites, 1989-1991.

From September 1990 through August 1991, 2655 (49%) of the 5457 women reported with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the United States had been injecting-drug users (IDUs), and 1136 (21%) had had sexual intercourse with men who were IDUs (1). During the same period, 413 (56%) of the 735 children (aged less than 13 years) reported with AIDS were born to mothers who were either IDUs (38%) or sex partners of IDUs (18%) (1). Even though messages and services regarding prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and pregnancy planning for women at high risk for HIV infection should be tailored to their specific needs, information regarding pregnancy history, plans for childbearing, and contraceptive use among such women is limited. This report characterizes the childbearing and contraceptive-use plans of women at high risk for HIV infection interviewed during 1989-1991 in three settings--methadone-maintenance programs, drug-free outpatient programs, and detention facilities--in Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.