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.
Highlights
One-third of all new HIV infections in Cambodia are estimated to be due to mother-to-child transmission
A study in urban clinics in Zimbabwe [11]found that 99.9% of women present for antenatal care (ANC) were tested for HIV as part of a provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling (PITC) strategy, compared to 65% who were tested during voluntary counseling and testing (VCT)
The PITC strategy must be evaluated by comparing the incidence of adverse effects such as domestic violence experienced by mothers who opted-in to HIV testing [13]
Summary
One-third of all new HIV infections in Cambodia are estimated to be due to mother-to-child transmission. 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. The capital of Cambodia [5], the acceptance of HIV testing among pregnant women in ANC has increased. Nearly a quarter of pregnant mothers were not tested in 2007 the MoH adopted a policy of provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling (PITC) [9] in 2006
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