Screening for HIV in pregnant women: A study of maternal opinion

Abstract

Pregnant women residing in the metropolitan area of Stockholm were screened for HIV in a 12-month pilot programme. The acceptance rate was 99.3%. Three HlV-antibody-positive women (0.04%) were identified. The screening was followed up by a study designed to ascertain the attitudes of the women towards the test. The vast majority had a positive attitude to HIV screening out of consideration for the health of the expected child. One out of seven felt uneasy while awaiting the test result. Significantly more women among those who thought repeatedly about the test had already considered having an HIV test before pregnancy. Once the women found out that their HIV test was negative it did not affect their subsequent experience of pregnancy.