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To the Editor: The JAMA Patient Page on preventing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in infants and children by Dr Brender and colleagues¹ contained information on how women can prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. However, it did not address the essential component of using contraception to prevent unintended pregnancies for women with HIV infection. With appropriate supportive counseling and access to effective contraceptive and/or fertility services, women with HIV infection can make informed reproductive choices either to prevent unintended pregnancies or to enhance their chances of an intended conception.²

In a world in which women of childbearing age account for nearly half of those infected with HIV,³ preventing unintended pregnancies among HIV-infected women who do not currently wish to become pregnant is an important and cost-effective way of preventing new HIV infections of infants.⁴ Current levels of contraceptive use by women with HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa may prevent nearly . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Willard Cates, Jr, MD, MPH
wcates@fhi.org
Family Health International
Research Triangle Park, NC

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