Providers' Awareness of HIV Testing Policies and Perceived Testing Practices

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine providers' awareness of state guidelines regarding HIV testing of pregnant women and their perceptions of access to care for HIV-positive pregnant women. State health departments, county health clinics, and other health care practitioners (private physicians, nurse practitioners, and health educators) were surveyed regarding awareness of state policies on HIV testing, particularly of pregnant women, as well as perceptions of current practices in the care of HIV-positive pregnant women. About two thirds of state offices of public health (70%), county public health providers (62.7%), and private providers (66.7%) were able accurately to describe the HIV reporting policy of their state, and providers across settings perceived that only about half of pregnant women were being provided with information regarding the prevention of vertical transmission during pregnancy. A mechanism is needed to routinely update public health departments and providers regarding state HIV reporting policies.