[The risk of vertical transmission of HIV--the knowledge of gynaecologists and midwives].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of gynaecologist and midwives concerning the risk of vertical transmission of HIV.


METHODS
Anonymous questionnaires have been filled in by thirty gynaecologists/obstetricians and thirty midwives who work at hospital wards and ambulatory gynaecological surgeries in Białystok.


RESULTS
When asked about chances of an HIV positive woman, aware of her infection, giving birth to a healthy baby, only 3 doctors (10%) and 4 midwives (13.3%) provided the correct answer, namely that such chances exceed 98%. Natural delivery was considered safer for the baby by 12 doctors (36.7%) and 7 (23.3%) midwives. The others chose elective caesarean section as the preferred mode of delivery. Twenty-five doctors (13.3%) and 23 midwives (76.7%) were aware that HIVinfected women should not breast-feed. Four doctors (13.3%) and 6 midwives (20.0%) favoured breast-feeding. Only 7 doctors (23.3%) and 9 midwives (30.0%) knew that the diagnosis whether a child is infected or not, based on anti-HIV antibodies, is possible only after the child reaches the age of 18 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Being aware of the limitations of our study, it is possible to formulate the following conclusion: Knowledge of gynaecologists/obstetricians and midwives about possibilities of HIV vertical transmission is insufficient for effective transmission prophylaxis.
Rogowska-Szadkowska
Dorota
D
Zakład Medycyny Rodzinnej i Pielegniarstwa Srodowiskowego UMB 15-054 Białystok, ul. Mieszka l 4b. dszadkowska@umwb.edu.pl
Pentkowska
Ewa
E
Chlabicz
Sławomir
S
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008880:Midwifery / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011044:Poland; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires