Obstetrician-initiated counseling and testing for HIV infection: a cross sectional study

Abstract

Objective: To assess the practice of provider-initiated counseling and testing (PICT) for HIV infection by Nigerian Obstetricians and estimate missed opportunities at the gynecological and family planning clinics.Methods: Online cross-sectional survey of members of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON) over a 4-week period using SurveyMonkey®. Frequencies were used to present responses of participants.Results: There were 201 (29%) respondents. Participants’ mean age was 46 ± 7.2 (SD) years and majority (93.3%) held consultant positions. Most respondents (92.2%) cared for HIV-infected pregnant women with dedicated HIV counselors (77.4%), and in dedicated counseling rooms (71%). Majority (75.7%) had been trained on HIV management in pregnancy and 95.3% routinely counseled and tested women attending the booking antenatal clinic. Fourteen per cent (14%) and 16% of respondents conducted routine counseling and testing for women attending the gynecological and family planning clinics, respectively, for the first time. For every 100 women tested at the antenatal clinic, 317 women were missed at each of the two clinics.Conclusions: PICT of HIV infection in Nigeria has focused on pregnancy. To eliminate new HIV infections in children, PICT should be routine at the gynecological and family planning clinics.