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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Carolyn Baek, MSc¹, Susan Kaai, MSc¹, Scott Geibel, MPH¹, Peter Omondi McOdida, BA², Benson Ulo, MSc², Grace Muthumbi, BA², Caroline Nkatha Matiko, BA³, and Naomi Rutenberg, PhD¹. (1) Horizons Program/Population Council, 4301 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 280, Washington, DC 20008, (202) 237-9400, cbaek@pcdc.org, (2) East Africa Office, International Medical Corps, P.O. Box 67513-00200, Nairobi, Kenya, (3) Steadman Research, Pox 68230 - 0200, Nairobi, Kenya

Background: Most women in sub-saharan Africa are learning their HIV status in antenatal care clinics through PMTCT programs. While there is renewed commitment to primary prevention, and care and support for HIV-positive women within PMTCT programs, there is little data about the extent to which HIV counseling and testing in ANC addresses women's own health.

Methods: In 2005, we interviewed 1813 women at <10 weeks postpartum at seven clinics in a low income area in Nairobi. Women were asked to indicate their serostatus. Results: 93% (1648) of women we interviewed took an HIV test in ANC; among those, 95% (1564) received the results of the test. Nearly 90% of women who accessed ANC (n=1778) received HIV information in ANC. Just 30% of HIV-positive women (n=107) and 16% of HIV-negative women (n=1346) received HIV information individually. Among all women who reported their serostatus, a quarter of HIV-positive women (n=114) and a third of HIV-negative women (n=1479) felt very confident they had HIV information to help protect their health. Only 9% of HIV-positive women and 15% of HIV-negative expressed being comfortable talking with their partner about condoms to prevent STDs. About half of HIV-positive women received information from health providers about where to go more for support about HIV.

Conclusions: Women receive inadequate HIV information in ANC tailored to their own circumstances. PMTCT programs should place more effort on supporting HIV-negative women to reduce their risk of infection, and HIV-positive women to reduce risk of re-infection and support for their own health.

Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives

• Participants will learn about the need to address women’s own health within HIV counseling and testing in ANC
• Participants will learn about how and what type of information is provided to women during HIV counseling and testing
• Participants will learn about women’s ability to protect their health based on the information and support received from the health facility

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered