Open AccessFeasibility and acceptability of rapid HIV screening in a labour ward in Togo
Author(s) -
Ekouevi Didier K,
Kariyiare Benjamin G,
Coffie Patrick A,
Jutand MartheAline,
Akpadza Koffi,
LawsonEvi Annette,
Tatagan Albert,
Dabis François,
Sibe Mathieu,
Pitche Vincent P,
Becquet Renaud,
David Mireille
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of the international aids society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.724
H-Index - 62
ISSN - 1758-2652
DOI - 10.7448/ias.15.2.17380
Subject(s) - medicine , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , pregnancy , family medicine , transmission (telecommunications) , obstetrics , environmental health , pediatrics , genetics , electrical engineering , biology , engineering
Background HIV screening in a labour ward is the last opportunity to initiate an antiretroviral prophylaxis among pregnant women living with HIV to prevent mother‐to‐child HIV transmission. Little is known about the feasibility and acceptability of HIV screening during labour in West Africa. Findings A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in the labour ward at the Tokoin Teaching Hospital in Lomé (Togo) between May and August 2010. Pregnant women admitted for labour were randomly selected to enter the study and were interviewed on the knowledge of their HIV status. Clinical and biological data were collected from the individual maternal health chart. HIV testing or re‐testing was systematically proposed to all pregnant women. Among 1530 pregnant women admitted for labour, 508 (32.2%) were included in the study. Information on HIV screening was available in the charts of 359 women (71%). Overall, 467 women accepted HIV testing in the labour ward (92%). The HIV prevalence was 8.8% (95% confidence interval: 6.4 to 11.7%). Among the 41 women diagnosed as living with HIV during labour, 34% had not been tested for HIV during pregnancy and were missed opportunities. Antiretroviral prophylaxis had been initiated antenatally for 24 women living with HIV and 17 in the labour room. Conclusions This study is the first to show in West Africa that HIV testing in a labour room is feasible and well accepted by pregnant women. HIV screening in labour rooms needs to be routinely implemented to reduce missed opportunities for intervention aimed at HIV care and prevention, especially PMTCT.