5136.0: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 - Board 3

Abstract #14280

Indiana State Department of Health's perinatal HIV project

Richard Feldman, MD, Danae Bixler, MD, MPH, Robert Teclaw, DVM, MPH, PhD, Holly Hancock, RN, BSN, Jerry Burkman, RN, MPH, Jean Brancazio-Pearl, RN, Patricia Reid, RN, MPH, Toni Elzy, RN, and Roland Gamache, MBA, PhD. Indiana State Department of Health HIV/STD Division, Indiana State Department of Health, 2 North Meridian Street 6C-99, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Indiana law requires prenatal care providers to offer all pregnant women HIV information, counseling and testing. Due to the perception of incomplete compliance and awareness with current law, the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) promulgated an emergency rule about counseling and documentation requirements. The Perinatal HIV Project was developed at this time to assist providers and to reduce perinatal HIV transmission. In addition, ISDH created a statewide initiative, in collaboration with various organizations, to encourage providers to recommend, as a matter of routine, HIV testing to all pregnant women, regardless of risk. Although many states are providing education and training to providers about their laws and regulations, this project was a collaborative effort with medical, healthcare and advocate communities. ISDH conducted a variety of activities that include: dissemination and development of educational materials; surveyed providers about attitudes and testing practices, medical chart records, and postpartum women; identified a designated hospital representative to work with medical staff and to reinforce law requirements; collaborated with other programs, such as HIV Surveillance; educated providers on requirements of the law and rule; and developed and provided trainings for providers about HIV and pregnancy. The Perinatal HIV Project continues to evaluate these interventions through monitoring the percent of HIV testing per the Electronic Birth Certificate records, conducting surveys, and conducting surveillance activities. In April 1998, only 43% of pregnant women were being tested for HIV as compared to nearly 75% in December 1999. Other evaluation tools and results will be discussed in the presentation.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to:

  1. Identify methods related to prenatal HIV counseling and testing in assisting in the reduction of perinatal HIV transmission.
  2. Discuss ways to evaluate the effectiveness of prenatal HIV counseling and testing in reducing perinatal transmission and educating women.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Pregnancy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I am a contracted employee for the Indiana State Department of Health.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA