Prevalence of HIV Testing During Preconception and Prenatal Care among Non-Hispanic Black and White Women

Purpose This study determined the prevalence of HIV testing among three sub-groups of women: those already pregnant, those intending to become pregnant in the next two years, and those not intending to become pregnant in the near future. In addition, associations between racial/ethnic groups and HIV testing were investigated in each of these subgroups. Methods This was a cross-sectional study using 2004 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data. Race/ethnicity and HIV testing were self-reported during telephone interviews. Multivariate logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Overall, 56.1% of pregnant women, 22.5% of women intending to become pregnant, and 29.5% of women not intending to become pregnant in the near future got tested for HIV in the last 12 months. After adjustment for income and marital status, pregnant Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) women had 1.94 times the odds of getting tested for HIV as compared to Non-Hispanic White (NHW) women (95% CI: 1.31,2.89). Among women intending to become pregnant, NHB women had three times the odds of getting tested for HIV (OR=3.14, 95% CI: 2.92, 3.38), after adjustment for the same variables. Of those women not intending to get pregnant, NHB women had 3.78 times the odds of getting tested for HIV as compared to NHW women (95% CI:, 3.06, 4.69). Conclusion These findings confirm that we have not reached the United States Public Health Service guidelines of 100% HIV testing of all pregnant women, and that woman are not receiving HIV testing as part of their preconception care. The current study also suggests that NHB women get tested for HIV more than NHW women. HIV counseling and testing should be a routine component of prenatal and preconception care for all women. If women become aware of their HIV status earlier, they can also start treatment earlier. Early treatment means better outcomes not only for the women themselves, but also for their children.