HIV counseling and testing during antenatal care in Vietnam: Who received it and who didn't?

Background: Knowing a pregnant woman's HIV status is important to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the virus. Despite a growing number of counseling and testing sites in Vietnam, few people have ever used these services. This study examines the current level and determinants of HIV counseling and testing among pregnant women in Vietnam.

Methods: Data come from the 2005 Vietnam Population and AIDS Indicator Survey, which includes 933 women who recently gave birth and sought ANC during pregnancy. Two-level multivariate analysis is employed to examine determinants of HIV counseling and testing.

Results: 10% of women who sought ANC were counseled and offered a HIV test; very few were counseled after the test. Women from urban, wealthier households, and with higher education were more likely to be counseled and offered the test. Knowledge of mother-to-child transmission also increased the chance of being tested (OR=2.64; p<.01). The vast majority of HIV testing took place at government hospitals; HIV testing in the private sector was minimal, despite increasing use of ANC in the private sector.

Discussions: Much work remains to be done to promote HIV counseling and testing among the population and health care providers. Women who were now counseled and tested for HIV may actually be at lower risk of infection. These services should be expanded in public and private sectors without discriminating any groups of women.