Objectives
Acute HIV infection in pregnancy is a preventable cause of perinatal HIV transmission. One prevention strategy is to ensure that partners of pregnant women know their HIV status. This study’s purpose was to determine the optimal setting for testing partners by characterizing their access to HIV testing and attitudes towards getting tested.
Methods
Two sets of anonymous written surveys were administered at a resident clinic. The first surveyed females presenting for prenatal care, while the second surveyed male partners presenting with a pregnant patient. Each survey had 25 questions about demographics, HIV risk factors, knowledge about HIV testing recommendations, prior testing, and access to testing. The surveys asked partners their willingness to get an HIV test in various settings and women’s beliefs related to this. Frequency and descriptive analyses were performed for each question.
Methods
Two sets of anonymous written surveys were administered at a resident clinic. The first surveyed females presenting for prenatal care, while the second surveyed male partners presenting with a pregnant patient. Each survey had 25 questions about demographics, HIV risk factors, knowledge about HIV testing recommendations, prior testing, and access to testing. The surveys asked partners their willingness to get an HIV test in various settings and women’s beliefs related to this. Frequency and descriptive analyses were performed for each question.
Results
96 patients and 31 male partners participated. Most participants (88.3% of women, 90.3% of men) knew that maternal HIV can cause neonatal infection, and about half recognized that medications can decrease this (59.6% of women, 51.6% of men). Both sexes reported talking to their partner about HIV testing (64.2% of women, 73.3% of men), and almost all said they would tell their partner if they tested positive (97.8% of women, 100% of men). Sadly, only 46.1% of women knew that their partners had tested negative in last 6 months, 18.7% said their partner had not been tested recently, and 35% did not know about their partner’s testing. Meanwhile, 19.4% of men said they had never been tested, and of the 80.6% who had, only 40% were tested within the last year. Although only 63.4% of women and 74.2% of men knew where or how to get a free, confidential HIV test, most men (82.8%) said they would get tested at the prenatal visit if it were free and confidential. Surprisingly, the same number said they would get tested elsewhere if given a list of testing locations. Patients underestimated this – only 69% thought their partner would get tested in clinic or elsewhere if asked. Partner attendance at prenatal visit would limit testing, as 16.3% and 34.8% of women, respectively, said their partners don’t come or only come sometimes.
Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
Full access? Get Clinical Tree
