Prenatal HIV testing in Ontario

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Prenatal Care

Providers in a Province with Low Testing Rates

ABSTRACT

Objective: To describe the knowledge, attitudes and practices of prenatal care providers in relation to prenatal HIV testing.

Methods: A stratified random sample of 784 family physicians, 200 obstetricians and 103 midwives providing prenatal care in 3 health planning regions in Ontario received a questionnaire.

Results: Response was 622/1087 (57%). Almost half of participants (43%) were not aware of Ontario's prenatal HIV testing policy. Eighty-five percent of participants reported that they offered or ordered HIV testing for all pregnant …