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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Thenral Mangadu, MD MPH, College of Health Science, University of Texas at EL Paso, 1101 N.Campbell, El Paso, TX 79936, 915-849-8071, tdmangadu@utep.edu and Joao Batista Ferreira-Pinto, PHD, Border Planning and Evaluation Group, 505 Granada Ave, EL Paso, TX 79902.

Background: Perinatal transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) accounts for 90% of all pediatric acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases in the United States and almost all new HIV infections in children. The US Public Health Service (PHS) recommends zidovudine (AZT) to reduce perinatal HIV transmission. Diagnosing HIV infection in pregnant women is the first and foremost step in prevention of perinatal transmission of HIV. In order to facilitate universal acceptance of prenatal HIV testing, the factors which promote or deter pregnant women from being tested for HIV infection, must be understood. Methods: This qualitative study examined the factors affecting the uptake of the prenatal HIV test and issues related to pre and post-test counseling among pregnant women attending the prenatal clinic at a County hospital in Texas, situated in close proximity to the US-Mexico border. The study derived its theoretical framework from the Health Belief Model. Results: Results showed that there had been inadequate pre-test counseling for almost 75% of the subjects and that no post-test counseling was offered for a significant number of study subjects. Findings also revealed false perceptions about the prenatal HIV test among the subjects and shortcomings in disclosure of the pre-natal HIV test results. Conclusions: Effective pre and post-test counseling are essential to prevent Mother-to-Child transmission of HIV and will also enhance the accuracy of risk perception for HIV infection by women in prenatal care and increase their self-efficacy levels to deal efficaciously with a plausible positive HIV test result.

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