Pregnant women's decisions on antenatal HIV screening in Hong Kong

Abstract

Identification of HIV-infected pregnant women by antenatal screening is crucial to prevent mother-to-child transmission. In Hong Kong, little is known about women's opinions about the screening test. This cross-sectional study examines the decisions of Hong Kong Chinese pregnant women to undergo antenatal HIV screening and the reasons for their choices. Among 191 pregnant women studied, 147 (77.0%) indicated that they would opt for antenatal HIV screening if offered. Of those, 113 (76.9%) would do so for ‘the health of their newborns’ and 93 (63.3%) for ‘their own health’. Fourteen (7.3%) would decline the test, because they have ‘one stable sexual partner’ (n=9, 64.3%) and believe that ‘HIV infection was not their concern’ (n=8, 57.1%). Women with a lower educational attainment (adjusted OR=3.77; 95% C.I., 1.12–12.67, p=0.03) were likely to choose antenatal HIV screening. Results of this study are predictive of pregnant women's responses to Hong Kong's newly enacted antenatal HIV screening programme.

Acknowledgments

The researchers would like to express their gratitude to Ms R. Chung, Ms C. Lam & Dr. K.Y. Leung for their contributions to the validation of the questionnaire, and to Dr H.K. Wong & Ms P. Yuen for granting clinic access, and Dr. Tony M.F. Chan for statistical support. Part of the content of this paper was derived from the MSc thesis of Ms C.F. Ho of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.