Uptake of health care services and health status of HIV-infected women diagnosed through antenatal HIV screening in Barbados, 1996-2004.
OBJECTIVE
To study utilization of HIV-related health care services and to describe the health status of HIV-infected women diagnosed through antenatal voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) for HIV infection in Barbados.


METHODS
This is a descriptive study. The study population includes all HIV-infected women in Barbados diagnosed as HIV-infected through VCT for HIV infection during 1996-2004.


RESULTS
The median duration of HIV infection from time of diagnosis to the time of this report for the 163 women diagnosed during the study period was 72 months (low range, 9 months; high range, 117 months). Of the 163 women, 102 (62.6%) had attended the centralized HIV/AIDS clinic for follow-up (care, treatment, and monitoring), whereas 61 (37.4%) had never attended the clinic. The median time lag between diagnosis of HIV infection and first presentation to the HIV/AIDS clinic was 36 months (low range, 1 month; high range, 114 months). Of the HIV-infected women who attended the HIV/AIDS clinic, more than one-fourth had severe immunodeficiency at the time of their first follow-up visit. Of the 53 women undergoing highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) at the time of the study, 23 (43.4%) began the therapy within three months of their first follow-up visit.


CONCLUSIONS
Early HIV diagnosis through antenatal VCT is not enough to ensure that women with HIV will get adequate and timely HIV-related health care. These women suffer significant premature mortality, largely related to inadequate follow-up.
Kumar
Alok
A
School of Clinical Medicine and Research, The University of the West Indies (Cave Hill), Barbados, West Indies. alokkumar.uwichill@gmail.com
Kilaru
Krishna R
KR
Forde
Sheila
S
Waterman
Ira
I
D000328:Adult; D001460:Barbados; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D011295:Prenatal Care