Attitude of Abeokuta pregnant women to routine human immunodeficiency virus screening.

The attitudes of 200 pregnant women at the antenatal clinic, Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta to routine HIV Screening for pregnant women were obtained between January and February 2000. One hundred and ninety six (96%) supported routine screening while 8(4%) did not. Reasons for supporting routine screening include protection of unborn baby (70%), initiation of early treatment if positive (50%), protection of other patients (40%) and protection of health care workers (20%). Reasons given by 8 (4%) who opposed routine screening include fear of a positive result 6(3%) and fear of societal discrimination 2(1%). If tested positive, 60% will request for medical treatment, 50% will inform their husband, 40% will seek divine intervention in the church, 20% do not know what to do while 10% will be isolated till death comes. The ethical, legal, emotional and societal implication of routine screening were discussed and recommendations based on available scientific evidence were made.