Obstetrician–Gynecologists' Knowledge and Practice Regarding Human Immunodeficiency Virus Screening

Abstract

III.

Obstetrician-Gynecologists and Perinatal Infections: A Review of Studies of the Collaborative Ambulatory Research Network (2005–2009)

“…Young, pregnant, Hispanic and African-American patients were most likely to report that HIV testing had been recommended by their obstetrician-gynecologist. Similar to the perceptions of obstetrician-gynecologists [21], patients indicated they most commonly decline testing because of seeing themselves as low risk [23]. …”

“…Gray and colleagues [21] found that 97% of ob-gyns adhere to ACOG guidelines [22] and recommend HIV testing to all pregnant patients; ACOG recommends that this be done as early in the pregnancy as possible and with the opt-out method of screening where legally possible [22]. Most (83.3%) of those who see pregnant patients reported feeling at least moderately knowledgeable regarding HIV in pregnancy, and 92% reported maintaining contact with an infectious disease specialist for consultation [21].…”

“…Most (83.3%) of those who see pregnant patients reported feeling at least moderately knowledgeable regarding HIV in pregnancy, and 92% reported maintaining contact with an infectious disease specialist for consultation [21]. Respondents most commonly (79%) reported that patients refused HIV testing due to viewing themselves as low risk [21]. When a patient declines testing, 28.7% do not reoffer testing [21].…”

“…Respondents most commonly (79%) reported that patients refused HIV testing due to viewing themselves as low risk [21]. When a patient declines testing, 28.7% do not reoffer testing [21]. ACOG recommends that HIV testing should be reoffered or repeated in the third trimester for women in areas with high HIV prevalence, women known to be at high risk for acquiring HIV infection, and women who declined testing earlier in pregnancy [22].…”

“…One quarter (25.5%) stated rapid HIV testing at labor and delivery is not available [21]. Testing strategies (opt-out versus opt-in approaches) were not consistent with state regulations: 57% use the approach required by their state, and 43% reported using a method not approved by their state; 33% did not know if their state had regulations requiring physicians to recommend HIV testing during pregnancy [21]. …”