MANILA, Philippines – A new study suggests that women who use hormonal contraceptives doubles their risk for acquiring HIV, and are twice as likely to transmit it to their partners.
The research, which was first published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, involved nearly 3,800 heterosexual couples in Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Botswana, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia.
These couples had one partner who is HIV-infected.
The study indicated that the increased risk is most especially notable in women who use injectables.
This study was released in the midst of intense debates on the passage of the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill in the Philippines.
Anti-RH Bill supporters have long pointed out the negative side-effects of using hormonal contraceptives.
Senator Lito Lapid, for one, is convinced that his wife’s use of contraceptives contributed to the abnormality and eventual death of one of his children.
Former Department of Health Secretary Dr. Esperanza Cabral, however, does not believe the study goes against the RH Bill advocacy.
A staunch RH Bill supporter, Cabral said that this study actually emphasizes the need for couples to use condoms as protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, along with other forms of contraception.
“All the more that couples should use condoms. Hormonal contraceptives cannot protect against HIV, but condoms can,” said Cabral.
She further stressed that the benefits of family planning far outweigh the effects of using contraceptives.
Long-time pill user and 32-year old mother Beth Narido, meanwhile, agrees. She said that the increased risk of HIV shouldn’t bother anyone if couples remain faithful to one another in the first place.
“Bakit ka matatakot kung nagmamahalan kayo ng asawa mo at kayo lang talaga at walang ibang partner?” said Narido. –Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN News
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