Acceptability of perinatal rapid point-of-care HIV testing in an area of low HIV prevalence in the UK.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the uptake of current antenatal HIV testing, the prevalence of risk factors for HIV in pregnant women and the acceptability of the rapid point-of-care HIV test (RPOCT) among pregnant women and their midwives.


METHODS
A retrospective review of 717 notes to determine current HIV screening practices and a cross-sectional survey using a self-completed questionnaire for pregnant women and midwives.


METHODS
The antenatal clinic (ANC) and postnatal wards (PNW) at a university teaching hospital in the West Midlands.


METHODS
486 women attending the ANC or admitted to the PNW during a fortnight in May-June 2006. 72 midwives on the delivery ward completed a second questionnaire.


RESULTS
The questionnaire showed that 90.4% of those offered the standard HIV test accepted it, with 7.2% having at least one risk factor for HIV. Over half of the decliners perceived themselves as not at risk. 85.2% would accept the rapid test, including 35.6% of the decliners. 92.8% of midwives agreed/strongly agreed the RPOCT has a role on the delivery ward and 97.2% would be happy to offer the test with appropriate training and guidance.


CONCLUSIONS
Midwives deem the RPOCT to be appropriate for a variety of perinatal settings. It is also acceptable to a clinically significant proportion of those who decline the standard test (21 of 59) and therefore has the potential to increase screening and detection rates. Hence, by allowing early diagnosis and the initiation of antenatal interventions, it could reduce the rate of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) in the UK.
Stokes
Suzy H M
SH
University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.
McMaster
Paddy
P
Ismail
Khaled M K
KM
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008880:Midwifery; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods