Attitudes towards prenatal HIV testing and treatment among pregnant women in southern India.
During June and July 1999, oral interviews were conducted on 666 women seeking prenatal care at 9 medical facilities in Chennai and Mysore, India, to assess their attitudes towards prenatal HIV testing and antiretroviral prophylaxis for preventing perinatal HIV transmission if needed. Seventy-eight per cent were aware of the risk of perinatal HIV transmission and 36% knew that intervention could reduce the chances of such transmission. Eighty-six per cent would agree to undergo prenatal HIV testing but only 21% of all respondents would make this decision independently while 46% said their husband would have to decide. Of those women who would not agree to testing, 21% would agree if testing were compulsory. Ninety-seven per cent of respondents would undergo antiretroviral prophylaxis to prevent vertical transmission, and 94% would consider alternatives to breastfeeding if HIV positive. Considering its widespread acceptability, prenatal voluntary counselling and testing may be an affordable method of HIV prevention for this population.
Brown
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Department of Immunology, Miriam Hospital/Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02906, USA.
Vallabhaneni
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Solomon
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Mothi
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S
McGarvey
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Jackson
T
T
Putcha
M
M
Brenner
S
S
Mate
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K
Cu-Uvin
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D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D011295:Prenatal Care