Improving The Quality of Reproductive Health Service Provision in Line with Emerging Hormonal Contraception and HIV/AIDS Related Cervical Neoplasms: Challenges for Zimbabwe’s Reproductive Health Service Providers

AIDS associated cancers are an emerging challenge in cancer epidemiology. Immune compromised people with AIDS have higher risks of developing cancer. Studies in Africa have demonstrated that following HIV+ diagnosis, the majority of hormonal contraceptive (HC) users continued on them while a quarter of nonusers began using HCs. There are contradicting findings on the role of HCs on cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) development. A number of studies have however positively correlated HC use to CIN development. This paper seeks to discuss the need for an integrative approach in reproductive health delivery system in line with HC provision concurrently with HIV/AIDS screening. We envisage a plausible approach that would support clients to make informed decisions on contraceptive use against the risks of HIV infection and development of CIN. This paper will critically appraise reproductive health provision in Zimbabwe in line with current global trends on HIV and oral contraceptive related neoplasm. The implications of the observed trends will be discussed in line with professionalisation of service delivery for the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) and partner organisations. Keywords: integrated, reproductive, HIV/AIDS, neoplasia, Zimbabw

Hormonal contraception and HIV/AIDS transmission: challenges for Zimbabwe’s reproductive health service providers in promoting informed contraception choices

None-barrier methods are the most predominant contraceptive methods of choice among Zimbabwean women, with the contraceptive pill being the most popular. The spread of HIV/AIDS is most prevalent in sub-Saharan African countries, Zimbabwe included. The prevalent mode of transmission is unprotected heterosexual sex. Although Zimbabwe boasts of a high literacy rate some women may still be vulnerable like in other parts of the world, as they may not understand the role of the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) and other reproductive health service providers. This is because some women at risk may expose themselves to unprotected sex while they are on hormonal contraceptives. This paper seeks to infer into pros and cons of hormonal contraceptive use among Zimbabwean women. There is also need to discuss the effectiveness of providers (ZNFPC clinics and the Ministry of Health) in educating women about the risk of HIV transmission, which may be associated with some non-barrier methods of contraception. An understanding of women’s attitudes towards the different forms of contraception is of paramount importance as is that of the factors that could contribute to women in different social settings resorting to uninformed contraceptive choices

Influence of combined oral contraceptives on the onset of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

No abstract available [Afr. J. Health Sci. 2002; 9: 129-137