Obstetrician gynecologists' knowledge and practice regarding human immunodeficiency virus screening.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To gather more information regarding prenatal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing by examining the practice patterns of obstetrician-gynecologists. METHODS: Survey questionnaires were sent to 1,032 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Fellows and Junior Fellows in practice. Questionnaires included inquiries about obstetrician-gynecologist characteristics, testing practices, and knowledge regarding HIV screening. RESULTS: A total of 582 surveys (56%) were returned. We found that 1) most (97%) obstetrician-gynecologists reported recommending HIV testing to all of their pregnant patients, 2) almost half (48%) of the physicians reported using the opt-out approach to prenatal HIV testing, and 3) respondents were sometimes unaware of whether their state requires recommending HIV testing during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: The finding that some obstetrician-gynecologists are unaware of their state regulations regarding prenatal HIV testing suggests that they would benefit from an increased awareness of state laws and regulations and having timely access to these requirements. The finding that most obstetrician-gynecologists offer HIV testing to all of their pregnant patients is consistent with the literature regarding prenatal HIV screening and with federal and national recommendations. However, study results also suggest that obstetrician-gynecologists may benefit from additional information to increase knowledge and strengthen perinatal HIV testing practice patterns. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III.