BACKGROUND: Despite increasing advocacy for an "opt-out" strategy in routine prenatal HIV screening programs in Canada, no published studies have examined factors that may affect acceptance of prenatal HIV testing. METHODS: We included all pregnant women in Alberta who received prenatal care (N = 38,712) and their caregivers (N = 2,007) between January 1 and November 30, 2000. Factors associated with non-acceptance of HIV testing in both pregnant women and their caregivers were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall, 1.5% of women declined HIV testing. First Nations women were about twice as likely to decline the test (adjusted odds ratio [OR(adj)] 1.91, 95% CI [1.42-2.58]) compared to non-First Nations women (p < 0.001). The proportion also increased with age (chi2 trend p < 0.001) in the general population. In First Nations women, however, most (3.2%) declined in the 20-24 year age group. No significant effect was seen for a socio-economic status marker or for the place of residence. The caregivers of women who declined HIV testing were more likely to be female (OR(adj) 1.56 [1.28-1.89]), midwives (OR(adj) 140.65 [58.61-337.49]), other non-obstetrical medical specialties (OR(adj) 4.92 [1.94-12.47]), and general practitioners (OR(adj) 3.44 [1.87-6.33]). CONCLUSION: In an "opt-out" routine prenatal HIV screening program, the characteristics of both the pregnant women and their caregivers may contribute to the non-acceptance of HIV testing. A higher likelihood of declining HIV testing among First Nations pregnant women and other pregnant women under the care of midwives and female physicians warrants further study.
BACKGROUND: Despite increasing advocacy for an "opt-out" strategy in routine prenatal HIV screening programs in Canada, no published studies have examined factors that may affect acceptance of prenatal HIV testing. METHODS: We included all pregnant women in Alberta who received prenatal care (N = 38,712) and their caregivers (N = 2,007) between January 1 and November 30, 2000. Factors associated with non-acceptance of HIV testing in both pregnant women and their caregivers were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall, 1.5% of women declined HIV testing. First Nations women were about twice as likely to decline the test (adjusted odds ratio [OR(adj)] 1.91, 95% CI [1.42-2.58]) compared to non-First Nations women (p < 0.001). The proportion also increased with age (chi2 trend p < 0.001) in the general population. In First Nations women, however, most (3.2%) declined in the 20-24 year age group. No significant effect was seen for a socio-economic status marker or for the place of residence. The caregivers of women who declined HIV testing were more likely to be female (OR(adj) 1.56 [1.28-1.89]), midwives (OR(adj) 140.65 [58.61-337.49]), other non-obstetrical medical specialties (OR(adj) 4.92 [1.94-12.47]), and general practitioners (OR(adj) 3.44 [1.87-6.33]). CONCLUSION: In an "opt-out" routine prenatal HIV screening program, the characteristics of both the pregnant women and their caregivers may contribute to the non-acceptance of HIV testing. A higher likelihood of declining HIV testing among First Nations pregnant women and other pregnant women under the care of midwives and female physicians warrants further study.
Authors: Sabrina S Plitt; Trenton R Smith; Warren Berry; Mariam Osman; Ambikaipakan Senthilselvan; Carmen L Charlton Journal: Can J Public Health Date: 2020-02-03
Authors: Robert S Remis; Maraki Fikre Merid; Robert W H Palmer; Elaine Whittingham; Susan M King; Natasha S Danson; Lee Vernich; Carol Swantee; Carol Major Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-11-09 Impact factor: 3.240