Open AccessDeterminants of antepartum human immunodeficiency virus testing in a non‐Medicaid obstetric population
Author(s) -
Cardonick E.,
Daly S.,
Dooley M.,
Elles K.,
Silverman N.S.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
infectious diseases in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.656
H-Index - 48
eISSN - 1098-0997
pISSN - 1064-7449
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-0997(1998)6:5<209::aid-idog4>3.0.co;2-j
Subject(s) - medicine , marital status , medicaid , logistic regression , population , family medicine , multivariate analysis , demography , obstetrics , environmental health , health care , sociology , economics , economic growth
Objective To determine voluntary human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing rates and factors influencing testing in a private obstetric practice. Methods Antepartum patients were offered HIV testing after completing a self‐assessment questionnaire. Perceived risks and demographics were correlated with testing rates. Results Overall, 348/600 (58%) women consented to HIV testing. In a univariate analysis, patients with “any” perceived risk(s) were more likely to be tested. Single women and those with an at‐risk partner(s) or a history of sexually transmitted disease (STD) were more likely to desire testing. These factors remained independently associated with voluntary testing in a multivariate regression model. No patients tested positive for HIV. Conclusions In our private obstetric practice, 26% of women perceived themselves at risk for HIV infection, and testing rates depended on the various risks identified. A history of STDs or an at‐risk sexual partner were stronger predictors of voluntary testing than was marital status. Focused HIV counseling among pregnant women at relatively low risk for infection may be possible. Infect. Dis. Obstet. Gynecol. 6:209–213, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.