Prevalence and barriers to HIV testing among mothers at a tertiary care hospital in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Barriers to HIV testing in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Abstract

BackgroundOne-third of all new HIV infections in Cambodia are estimated to be due to mother-to-child transmission. Although the Ministry of Health adopted a policy of provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling (PITC), nearly a quarter of pregnant mothers were not tested in 2007. Greater acceptance of HIV testing is a challenge despite Cambodia's adoption of the PITC policy.MethodsA hospital-based quantitative and cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the prevalence of and barriers to HIV testing among mothers after delivery at the National Maternal and Child Health Center in Phnom Penh. The Center is one of the largest maternal and child care hospitals in the country to offer PITC services. All 600 eligible mothers who were admitted to the hospital after delivery from October to December 2007 were approached and recruited. Data were collected via a semi-structured questionnaire.ResultsThe prevalence of HIV testing among women who delivered at the hospital was 76%. In multivariate logistic regression, factors such as the perceived need to obtain a partner's permission to be tested (OR=0.27, 95% CI=0.14-0.51, p<0.01), the lack of knowledge about HIV prevention and treatment (OR=0.38, CI=0.22-0.66, p<0.01), and the lack of access to ANC services (OR=0.35, 95% CI=0.21-0.58, p<0.01) were found to be the main barriers to HIV testing.ConclusionTo achieve greater acceptance of HIV testing, counseling on HIV prevention and treatment must be provided not only to mothers but also to their partners. In addition, utilization of non-laboratory staff such as midwives to provide HIV testing services in rural health facilities could lead to the greater acceptance of HIV testing.

Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing Service Utilization among Pregnant Mothers in North West Ethiopia In 2014

“…In current study having adequate knowledge about MTCT would enhance utilization of VHCT by about 10.6 times and this finding was in agreement with prior studies [11,15,24,25,31]. A study in East Ethiopia at Dire Dawa showed as mothers having good knowledge on VHCT were 15.6 times more likely to be tested (AOR 95% CI: 15.6 (13, 66.2) [25].…”

“…In this study about three quarter (76.2%) pregnant mothers underwent HIV testing on current pregnancy and this finding was in in line with a study in Ghana (76%) [14], Cambodia (76%) [15] and it was lower than the studies conducted in Northwestern Ethiopia at Gondar town (82.5%) [10], in a capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa town (94%) [12], in South Ethiopia at Hawassa Referral Hospital (96%) [16], Southern Ethiopia (100%) [17] and Northern Tanzania (98%) [18]. The possible reasons for increment in prior studies might be using of health institution based study [10,12,[16][17][18] since pregnant mothers having positive attitude and better awareness may visit health institution and tested for HIV and in studies [10,12,16,17] the study participants were living in town thus they can easily access the information about VHCT and health services for test.…”

Male partner involvements in PMTCT: a cross sectional study, Mekelle, Northern Ethiopia

“…Similar study study done in Dominican Republic Vietnam indicates that 90% of pregnant mothers have been disclosed and suggest HIV testing and counselling to their male partner [19,20]. …”

Assessment of Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission HIV Services in the Bantey Meanchey Province in Cambodia

“…Previous data show the perceived need to obtain a partner’s permission to be tested as a barrier to testing. 17 A previous study in Cambodia investigated the influence of partner participation in informational PMTCT classes on VCCT. 18 During the first visit to ANC, all women were invited to a class where information on PMTCT was provided.…”

“…Mothers who receive ANC outside Phnom Penh have less chance of undergoing HIV testing than mothers who receive ANC in Phnom Penh. 17 …”