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326570
Relationship between antenatal care and uptake of HIV testing in sub-Saharan African women


Sunday, November 1, 2015

Jayleen Gunn, PhD, MPH, Department of Epidemiology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Katherine Center, PhD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Ibitola Asaolu, MPH, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Steven Gibson, B.S., University of Arizona, Tucson
Echezona Ezeanolue, MD, MPH, Department of Pediatrics, Nevada Care Program, University of Nevada School of Medicine in Las Vegas, Reno, NV
John Ehiri, PhD, Department of Health Promotion Sciences, University of Arizona, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Tucson, AZ
Background: Sub-Saharan Africa has the largest proportion of pregnant women living with HIV, accounting for nearly 85% of the global burden. Although progress has been made towards the global goal of reducing the vertical transmission of HIV during pregnancy, less than a third of pregnant women receive HIV counseling and testing (HCT) in many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) due to a plethora of barriers. This study assessed the relationship between antenatal care and uptake of HIV testing among pregnant women in three countries in SSA.

Methods: Data were derived from 2010 Demographic and Health Surveys by combining information from 3 unique African countries: Congo, Mozambique, and Nigeria. Countries were chosen based on HIV prevalence with Congo representing a country with low prevalence and Nigeria and Mozambique representing areas with high HIV prevalence.  The relationship between prenatal care and uptake of HCT was adjusted by participants’ characteristics (i.e., age, education, urban/rural residence and number of children in the household) using logistic regression.

Results: Pooled results showed that HCT among pregnant women was significantly associated with uptake of prenatal care (AOR=12.98; 95%CI 11.76-14.34). Country specific data showed that women who attended prenatal care were significantly more likely to receive HCT:  Congo (3.48; 2.66-4.54), Mozambique (11.61; 9.18-14.68), and Nigeria (12.46; 10.99-14.11). 

Conclusion: Women who receive antenatal care are more likely to be tested for HIV. Since many women receive care and deliver their babies outside of healthcare facilities in SSA, innovative interventions may be needed to increase HIV testing in non-health facilities settings. 

Learning Areas:

Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Clinical medicine applied in public health
Diversity and culture
Epidemiology
Provision of health care to the public

Learning Objectives:
Describe the role of antenatal care in uptake of HIV testing in sub-Saharan Africa.

Keyword(s): HIV Interventions, Prenatal Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am an author on this project. Among my scientific interests is the health of women and children in developing countries.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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