The number of pregnant women who are HIV positive is on the rise. From 7.3 percent HIV prevalence recorded in the 2003 Kenya Demographic and Health survey (KDHS), the rate has increase to 9.6 percent, according to the 2007 Kenya AIDS Indicator Survey (KAIS).

HIV experts also think the reason for increased pregnancies among HIV positive women is because infected men are having sex with their partners without using a condom.

The KAIS study show that less than 50 percent of the HIV infected sexually active who participated in the study had used a condom during sexual intercourse. This means more than half of them were not using a condom when having sex, though HIV positive.

Not more than 20 per cent of the HIV positive persons who participated in the study admitted to have used a condom with a partner of unknown HIV status or one who was HIV negative.

The other possible explaination for this rise in pregnancies in HIV positive women, scientists argue, is more of these women are now insisting on having babies even against doctor’s advice.

“An increasing number of women know of the existence of drugs and other technologies which can significantly reduce their chances of passing the virus to the baby are getting pregnant,” said Prof Ruth Nduati, a senior researcher and lecturer at the University of Nairobi.

“They believe something will be done to have an HIV free child.” One of the HIV positive women interviewed by AWCFS said no one should stop them from getting pregnant.

“It is our human right to have and raise a family regardless of our HIV status. The onerous is on the government to help us access technologies that will prevent the virus from passing to the baby,” said the Lilian Moraa, from Kibera.

Indeed, the KAIS study shows that 28 percent of the HIV positive women desire more children in the next two years. While 72 percent said they do not desire children in the same period.

The problem however is, there are no widespread interventions to help these women achieve their desires.

In fact, one of the reasons for increased pregnancies among HIV positive women is lack of access to family planning commodities. 

The KAIS study says nearly 50 percent of all infected females have unmet need for family planning. Only 24 percent of infected women are currently using modern contraceptives.