[Frequency and mode of use of testing for HIV infection in women hospitalized for childbirth].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the use of HIV testing "because of pregnancy".


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Parturients admitted to the obstetric divisions of a public hospital located in Rome (February-April 1994).


METHODS
Standardized interview during post test counseling. OUT-COMES: Frequency and characteristics of HIV testing "because of pregnancy" and women's know ledge on HIV sexual and vertical transmission.


RESULTS
Among the 506 women admitted all consented to be tested and 3 were found HIV seropositive (0.6%). A total of 239 (47%) unselected parturients were interviewed; the remaining differ only for a lower rate of cesarean delivery (13% vs 54%). Of the interviewed, 140 (58%) had been already tested for HIV infection, 91 (38%) during the current pregnancy according to gynaecologist's prescription (79.87%) and without counseling (55.60%) or ascertained risk factors (82.90%); 40% had been tested after the first trimester of pregnancy. Rate of vertical transmission was estimated higher than 50% in 147 cases; 150 women knew the "window period" but less than half estimated it correctly.


CONCLUSIONS
The study showed a unsatisfactory use of HIV testing "because of pregnancy" and suggests the need for implementing in Italy information campaigns targeted both to women and gynecologists.
Puro
V
V
Centro di Riferimento AIDS, Ospedale L. Spallanzani, Roma.
Romano
S
S
De Santis
M T
MT
Aloisi
M S
MS
D'Ubaldo
C
C
Girardi
E
E
Ippolito
G
G
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000635:transmission; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D012384:Rome / Q000453:epidemiology; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D015215:Zidovudine
Frequenza e modalità di utilizzo del test anti-HIV in donne ricoverate per l'espletamento del parto.