Perception of HIV among pregnant women in the public health system in two municipalities of the state of São Paulo

Cléa Adas Saliba Garbin,Karina Tonini Dos Santos Pacheco,Thaís Fonseca Santiago,Artênio José Ísper Garbin,Simone Miyada,Suzely Adas Saliba Moimaz

doi:10.1590/1677-3225v14n4a06

Cléa Adas Saliba Garbin, Karina Tonini Dos Santos Pacheco + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1677-3225v14n4a06

Copy DOI

Abstract

Aim: To verify the knowledge of pregnant women on mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV, the availability of HIV tests in the public health system and counseling on the disease in two cities, Birigui and Piacatu, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Methods: This is a descriptive and exploratory research using as samples, the files of 141 pregnant women attending the Basic Health Unit. Data were collected by survey, followed by a semi-structured questionnaire with open and closedend questions. Data were analyzed on Epi Info™ 7.1.4, by the Chi-square and Exact Fisher tests. Results: From all the 141 pregnant women, 119 were interviewed and 92.4% reported to have been informed about the need of taking the HIV test during prenatal exams. However, only 5.9% were counseled and 20.2% reported to be aware of how to prevent MTCT of HIV, usually mentioning lactation suppression and prescribed medication. The association between the knowledge about how to prevent MTCT of HIV and some social, demographic and economic variables like ethnics, educational level, home location, occupation, age and parenting was not verified. Conclusions: It is necessary to advise pregnant women on the importance of taking the HIV test regardless of the examination outcome, which was not observed in the cities where the research was conducted.

Highlights

Received for publication: October 30, 2015 Accepted: December 12, 2015The prevalence of HIV among parturient women in Brazil is approximately 12,000 cases a year, and the detection rate has presented a significant statistical raise in the past 10 years[1]
This result has reflected the adaptation of prenatal care health policy with the aid of HIV vaccines[2]
The purpose of this study was to verify the knowledge of pregnant women about mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) transmission of HIV, availability of HIV tests in the public health system and counseling on the disease

Summary

Introduction

The prevalence of HIV among parturient women in Brazil is approximately 12,000 cases a year, and the detection rate has presented a significant statistical raise in the past 10 years[1]. This result has reflected the adaptation of prenatal care health policy with the aid of HIV vaccines[2]. Counseling is a practice that allows both reflection and decision making. It is based on active listening, by which the health professionals seek to establish trust bonds, providing strategies

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion