Follow-up of HIV-infected women diagnosed by antenatal screening in Barbados from 1996-2004.
A follow-up study was undertaken to analyze the impact of the early diagnosis of HIV in women by antenatal voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) by way of making a difference to their health status and the social behavior of these women. This is a descriptive study. The study population included all HIV-infected women in this country who were diagnosed to be HIV infected by way of VCT during 1996-2004. Sixty-one (37.4%) never attended the HIV clinic for their care or treatment. The median delay between the time of diagnosis of HIV infection and the time of their presentation to the follow-up clinic was 36 months. Of the 79 women who reported to have been sexually active only 33 had a steady partner; 54 had had one or more casual sex partners at some point in time since their HIV diagnosis. One third never used condoms with their steady partner and one sixth never used condoms with casual partners. Overall, 89 women had one or more repeated pregnancy, mostly from different partners. In conclusion, many of the women diagnosed from antenatal VCT fail to utilize the available health care facilities and continue to engage in risk-taking behaviors.
Kumar
Alok
A
School of Clinical Medicine & Research, University of the West Indies (Cave Hill), Barbados, West Indies. alokkumar.uwichill@gmail.com
Kilaru
Krishna R
KR
Kumari
Geeta
G
Forde
Sheila
S
Waterman
Ira
I
D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D001460:Barbados / Q000453:epidemiology; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D012747:Sexual Partners