Sociodemographic predictors of acceptance of voluntary HIV testing among pregnant women in a large maternity hospital, Omdurman, Sudan

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to determine the sociodemographic predictors of willingness of pregnant women in Sudan to accept HIV testing. A random sample of 500 pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Omdurman maternity hospital in 2010 were interviewed. Significant predictors of women's tendency to accept HIV testing were age < 30 years [OR 3.5, 95% CI 2.2-5.8], primigravida [OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.0-2.3], better education level [OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.7-6.7], owning a radio [OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3-3.4], in employment [OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2-5.0] and >/= 2 antenatal care visits [OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2-2.9]. Husband's age >/= 35 years [OR 3.2, 95% CI 2.0-5.2] and Christian faith [OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.4-10.7] were significant variables, although with a wide margin of confidence. These predictors should be considered in strategies to increase the acceptance and use of HIV testing and counselling services