Does a Birth Control Method Raise HIV Risk?

11 October 2011

Women wait for treatment at a clinic in Kenya.

This is the VOA Special English Health Report.

The World Health Organization has called a meeting to discuss if there is truly a link between hormonal birth control and the spread of HIV.

A new study in Africa looked mainly at the use of injectable hormones. It found that women who used them had double the risk of getting infected by a male partner with HIV. It also found that men were twice as likely to get HIV from infected women who used hormonal contraception than from those who did not. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.

Renee Heffron and other researchers from the University of Washington in Seattle led the study. She advises couples to use condoms in addition to other forms of birth control to prevent HIV and unwanted pregnancy. She spoke on Skype from Kenya.

RENEE HEFFRON: "It’s really important that women continue to use hormonal contraceptives, but also that they really understand the importance of using condoms when they are using hormonal contraceptives, and that hormonal contraceptives don’t protect them against HIV, and in fact, may increase their risk."

The WHO has called a meeting of experts in January.

Health groups have been promoting the use of injectable contraceptives as an easy and cost-effective form of birth control. The women can inject themselves, and each shot is effective for three months.