3rd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment Rio de Janeiro - July 24 - 27, 2005

ACCEPTABILITY OF ROUTINE HIV TESTING IN ANTENATAL SERVICES IN ZIMBABWE

IAS Conf HIV Pathog Treat 2005 Jul 24-27;3rd: Abstract No. TuOa0304

Perez F.¹, Zvandaziva C.², Engelsmann B.³, Marchand D.¹, Dabis F.^1
1SPED - Université Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2, Bordeaux, France, ²Consultant, Harare, Zimbabwe, ³ISPED-Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe

INTRODUCTION: Mother-to-child transmission is the most important source of HIV infection in children. Low uptake of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) interventions requires new approaches to prevent missed opportunities. Routine HIV testing (“opt-out”) in antenatal care (ANC) has been reported to improve results of PMTCT interventions. The objective was to determine the acceptability of the opt-out strategy for HIV screening during pregnancy in Zimbabwe, a high HIV prevalence country.

METHODS: A descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted in six PMTCT sites. A set of four questionnaires was applied to interview 520 women over a three-month period. Women were identified at either postnatal services or in the OI clinic.

RESULTS: Of 520 women sampled, 285 women (55%) had been HIV tested during pregnancy. Unemployment of partner (p=<0.001), primary education or lower (p= 0.02), not receiving group education (p<0.001) or pre-test counselling (p<0.001) and having attended less then six ANC visits (p=<0.001) were associated with not having been HIV tested. Women with knowledge of PMTCT were more likely to be HIV-tested (p<0.001). Amongst the 235 women not HIV-tested in ANC, 80% would accept HIV-testing if routine testing was introduced in ANC services. Factors associated with accepting the opt-out approach were, being married (p=0.03), secondary education or more (p=0.03) and having received group education (p=<0.001). 41 women would still opt-out and refuse HIV-testing mainly because they fear knowing their HIV status and need to have partner consent.

CONCLUSIONS: Introduction of routine HIV testing in antenatal care is acceptable to most women and would increase uptake of PMTCT services. In Zimbabwe, where 25% of pregnant women are HIV infected, introduction of these strategies would have a far reaching public health impact. Issues regarding, stigma, quality of post-testing counselling and staffing will need to be considered.

Download PDF of this abstract.

050724
Prevention | TuOa0304 | Freddy Perez
Epidemiology of vertical transmission

Copyright © 2005 - International AIDS Society (IAS). All information and content relating to the abstracts from the 3rd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment, such as text, graphics, logos, button icons, images, audio clips, and software is protected by copyright. Permission is hereby granted for the non-commercial use or reproduction of the information on this web site, provided that the use of such information is accompanied by an acknowledgement that IAS is the source of the information and the name of the author of the article.

AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2005. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2005. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. Permission is hereby granted for the non-commercial use or reproduction of the information herein, provided that the use of such information is accompanied by an acknowledgement that IAS is the source of the information and the name of the author of the article.