Title of article
Knowledge, attitudes and intended behaviours towards HIV testing and self-protection: a survey of Omani pregnant women
Author/Authors
Al-Jabri, A.A. Sultan Qaboos University - College of Medicine and Health Sciences - Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Oman , Youssef, R.M. Sultan Qaboos University - College of Medicine and Health Sciences - Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, Oman , Hasson, S.S. Sultan Qaboos University - College of Medicine and Health Sciences - Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Oman , Balkhair, A.A. Sultan Qaboos University Hospital - Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Unit, Oman , Al-Belushi, M. Sultan Qaboos University - College of Medicine and Health Sciences - Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Oman , Al-Saadoon, M. Sultan Qaboos University - College of Medicine and Health Sciences - Department of Child Health, Oman , Mathew, M. Sultan Qaboos University - College of Medicine and Health Sciences - Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oman , Al-Mahroqi, S. Sultan Qaboos University - College of Medicine and Health Sciences - Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Oman , Said, E. Sultan Qaboos University - College of Medicine and Health Sciences - Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Oman , Koh, C.Y. Sultan Qaboos University - College of Medicine and Health Sciences - Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Oman , Idris, M.A. Sultan Qaboos University - College of Medicine and Health Sciences - Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Oman
From page
614
To page
622
Abstract
Routine HIV testing of all pregnant women in Oman has been introduced without prior knowledge of women’s attitudes towards testing or their behaviour in the event of a positive test. This study recruited 1000 Omani pregnant women from antenatal clinics to explore their knowledge of HIV/AIDS, attitudes towards HIV testing and intended behaviours in the event of a positive test. Mother-to-child transmission was recognized by 86.6% of the women but only 21.0% knew that it was preventable and a few acknowledged the important role of antiviral drugs. Half of the women (51.9%) reported having been tested for HIV and 75.8% agreed about routine HIV testing for all pregnant women. A higher level of knowledge was significantly associated with a favourable intended behaviour related to voluntary testing, disclosure and seeking professional assistance in the event of a positive HIV test. The results are discussed in relation to opt-in and opt-out approaches to voluntary testing during pregnancy.
Journal title
Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal
Journal title
Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal
Record number
2644693
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