Knowledge, attitudes and intended behaviours towards HIV testing and self-protection: a survey of Omani pregnant women: a survey of Omani pregnant women

A A Al-Jabri, R M Youssef, S S Hasson, A A Balkhair, M Al-Belushi, M Al-Saadoon, M Mathew, S Al-Mahroqi, E Said, C Y Koh, M A Idris

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)614-22
Number of pages9
JournalEastern Mediterranean health journal = La revue de sante de la Mediterranee orientale = al-Majallah al-sihhiyah li-sharq al-mutawassit
Volume20
Issue number10
Publication statusPublished - Oct 20 2014

Keywords

  • AIDS Serodiagnosis/standards
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections/diagnosis
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical/prevention & control
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Middle Aged
  • Oman
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care/psychology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/drug therapy
  • Pregnant Women/psychology
  • Prenatal Care/methods
  • Young Adult

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