Health care providers are advised to provide counseling and voluntary HIV testing to all pregnant women so antiretroviral therapy can be initiated to reduce the risk of mother-to-child HIV-1 transmission, if indicated. To evaluate HIV test counseling trends, we analyzed data from 7 states (AL, AK, FL, ME, OK, SC, WA) participating in the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) from 1996 through 1998. PRAMS is an ongoing, population-based mail survey that collects information from mothers who recently gave birth to a live-born infant by randomly sampling state birth certificates. Mothers who received prenatal care (PNC) were asked, "Did a doctor, nurse, or health care worker talk with you about getting your blood tested for HIV?" Data were analyzed using SUDAAN software. Response rates exceeded 70%, with annual sample sizes ranging from 1192 to 2445. Across all states and years, 98.9% of mothers received PNC. From 1996 to 1998, the proportion of women who received HIV test counseling increased in 5 states (range: 58.3%[OK,1996]to 83.5%[FL,1998]) with 3 states experiencing significant increases (p<0.05). In most states, counseling significantly increased among mothers who used private sector PNC providers, were white, or not on Medicaid. However, the counseling prevalence in 1998 remained higher among mothers who used public sector providers, were black, or received Medicaid benefits than among other groups. Despite increases in the prevalence of prenatal HIV test counseling, PRAMS data emphasize the need for improving this service among all women regardless of maternal characteristics.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, the audience will be able to: 1. Identify the average prevalence of prenatal HIV test counseling across 3 years in 7 states. 2. Recognize which maternal populations continue to receive less counseling about HIV testing compared with other maternal populations
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Prenatal Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.