Comparing couples' and individual voluntary counseling and testing for HIV at antenatal clinics in Tanzania: a randomized trial.
Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) for couples (CVCT) is an important HIV-prevention effort in sub-Saharan Africa where a substantial proportion of HIV transmission occurs within stable partnerships. This study aimed to determine the acceptance and effectiveness of CVCT as compared to individual VCT (IVCT). 1,521 women attending three antenatal clinics in Dar es Salaam were randomized to receive IVCT during that visit or CVCT with their husbands at a subsequent visit. The proportion of women receiving test results in the CVCT arm was significantly lower than in the IVCT arm (39 vs. 71%). HIV prevalence overall was 10%. In a subgroup analysis of HIV-positive women, those who received CVCT were more likely to use preventive measures against transmission (90 vs. 60%) and to receive nevirapine for themselves (55 vs. 24%) and their infants (55 vs. 22%) as compared to women randomized to IVCT. Uptake of CVCT is low in the antenatal clinic setting. Community mobilization and couple-friendly clinics are needed to promote CVCT.
Becker
Stan
S
Population, Family, and Reproductive Health Department, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, E4148, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. sbecker@jhsph.edu
Mlay
Rose
R
Schwandt
Hilary M
HM
Lyamuya
Eligius
E
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D019829:Nevirapine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D011295:Prenatal Care; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013636:Tanzania / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D018894:Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors; D019829:Nevirapine