Martin-Herz SP, Bassett MT, Shetty AK, Chitibura L, Ley C, Moyo S, von Lieven A, Mhazo M, Katzenstein D; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 2000 Jul 9-14; 13: abstract no. ThPeD5790.

S.P. Martin-Herz, Stanford University School of Medicine, 4148 Byron St., Palo Alto, CA 94306, United States, Tel.: +1 650 843 14 30, E-mail: susanneh@leland.stanford.edu

Background: To evaluate perceived risks and benefits of HIV testing (HCT) in pregnant women in Zimbabwe. Methods: 200 pregnant women (age = 24+/-5 yrs) attending an antenatal clinic in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe were surveyed. A standardized questionnaire was administered in Shona by a bilingual research assistant. Questions were asked regarding risks and benefits of HCT and were specific to implications of a negative HIV test result (NR), positive HIV test result (PR), telling her partner she is HIV positive (PARTNER), and telling community members she is HIV positive (COMMUNITY). Results: For HCT in general, endorsed risks included others thinking you have HIV (56%). Benefits included study investigators liking you more (54%) and being thought of as responsible (49%). Risks of NR included your partner refusing to use condoms (84%) or deciding not to be HIV tested (67%). Benefits included family and partner happiness (95%). Risks of PR included thinking you would die soon (60%). 5% indicated they would want to hurt or kill themselves. Benefits of PR included getting medical help to keep the baby from getting HIV (99%). Risks associated with PARTNER included blaming each other (73%). Benefits included his being HIV tested (62%). Risks of COMMUNITY included people laughing at you (98%) and not associating with you (97%). Benefits included parental care and support (94%). 27% reported concerns about confidentiality. All risks and benefits will be presented with frequency of endorsement. The goal will be to outline potential areas of intervention. Conclusion: Significant concerns about HCT exist in pregnant women in Zimbabwe; however benefits are also clearly identified. Although 99% saw benefit in medical intervention to reduce maternal-neonatal transmission risk, fewer than 25% consented to HCT even when an AZT intervention study was offered. Urgent attention should be directed to culturally appropriate strategies to address womens concerns and improve future acceptance of HCT.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Female
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
• Humans
• Infant
• Mass Screening
• Pregnancy
• Zidovudine
• Zimbabwe
• methods

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0004915

UI: 102242412

From Meeting Abstracts