title: Attitudes and practices of obstetric care providers in Kabul, Afghanistan regarding antenatal testing for sexually transmitted infection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine attitudes toward and utilization of testing for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B among obstetric care providers in Kabul, Afghanistan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three public maternity hospitals in Kabul, Afghanistan.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and fourteen (114) doctors and midwives.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prevalence and correlates of ever having tested patients for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B and agreement with statements concerning attitudes toward testing and care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Less than half of the patient care providers surveyed had previously tested a patient for HIV, syphilis, or hepatitis B. Presumed rarity of these infections in Afghanistan was the most frequently stated reason for not testing, although many midwives stated that they did not have the authority to order tests. Most providers supported testing to promote neonatal health, but some midwives expressed concern regarding patient and family perceptions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Due to logistical and cultural barriers, obstetric care providers underutilize testing for antenatal patients in Afghanistan. Improved training, empowerment of female providers, and availability of rapid testing are needed.
authors.affiliation: Division of International Health & Cross-Cultural Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093-0622, USA. cstodd@ucsd.edu
authors.forename: Catherine S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.forename: Malalay
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ahmadzai
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Hadia
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
authors.forename: Syed Alef Shah
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ghazanfar
authors.forename: Steffanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Strathdee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000346:Afghanistan; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires