The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48419

Diane J. Abatemarco, MSW, PhD, Health Education and Behavioral Science, UMDNJ - School of Public Health, 335 George St, Liberty Plaza, Suite 2200, PO BOC 2688, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, 732-235-9754, abatemdj@umdnj.edu

Purpose of this study was to describe HIV-infected pregnant women who delivered a live birth and determine factors associated with Zidovudine (ZDV) receipt. According to CDC guidelines, all pregnant women should be counseled and tested for HIV and ZDV should be prescribed to all HIV-infected pregnant women. Methods include joining three data sets to describe the factors related to ZDV receipt during pregnancy, labor and delivery. The data sets include the following: HIV/AIDS Surveillance Registry, Surveillance to Evaluate Perinatal Prevention medical abstraction data, and Birth Certificate Registry. A total of 420 women and their live births in 1995, 1996, and 1997 that had complete records were identified. Results show that of only 49% received ZDV during pregnancy, labor and delivery. Twenty-five percent received no prenatal care while 50% receive inadequate care. Receiving ZDV was individually associated with: race, prior births, diagnosis, prenatal care , gestational age, prior ZDV receipt, type of clinic, HIV testing, and history of drug use (p<.05). However, multivariate analysis indicated that three variables predict the likelihood of receiving ZDV during pregnancy, receiving ZDV before pregnancy, having an HIV test during pregnancy, and non use of illegal drugs. Implications of this study include early diagnosis and treatment that would increase the odds of being prescribed ZDV during pregnancy and thus prevent HIV transmission to infants. Prenatal care among HIV-infected women is inadequate. Identifying factors associated with ZDV use will aid in efforts to engage women in prenatal care. Additionally, public health planners must address the need to integrate drug treatment with prenatal care services.

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

• Describe complicated medical and life factors that influence whether HIV infected pregnant women receive Zidovudine to prevent HIV transmission to their infants.
• Identify multiple data sources used to construct data sets to examine at maternal/child health outcomes. 3)Recognize appropriate epidemiologic methods to include in an HIV analytic framework.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Maternal Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.