Barriers for HIV testing during pregnancy in Southern Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To assess HIV testing rate and determine risk factors for not have been tested during pregnancy. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil, from December 2000 to February 2001. Socioeconomic, maternal and healthcare variables were obtained by means of a standardized questionnaire. Crude and adjusted odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were obtained in logistic regression models. RESULTS: A total of 1,642 mothers were interviewed. Of them, 94.3% reported being offered HIV testing before or during pregnancy or during labor; 89 mothers (5.4%) were not tested or did not know if they were tested. Attending fewer than six prenatal visits, being single and younger than 18 years old were relevant barriers preventing HIV testing. There was found a relationship between maternal schooling and the category of prenatal care provider. Having low 22.20 (12.43-39.67) or high 3.38 (1.86-7.68). schooling and being cared in the private sector strongly reduced the likelihood of being HIV tested. CONCLUSIONS: The Brazilian Health Ministry's recommendation for universal counseling and HIV testing has been successfully implemented in the public sector. In order to improve HIV testing coverage, new strategies need to target women cared in the private sector especially those of low schooling.

Barriers for HIV testing during pregnancy in Southern Brazil

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o padrão de realização do teste para a detecção do HIV e os fatores de risco para a sua não realização durante a gestação. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo transversal realizado em Porto Alegre, de dezembro de 2000 a fevereiro de 2001. Foram obtidas de puérperas variáveis biológicas, demográficas e sociais por meio de questionário padronizado. Foi elaborado modelo de regressão logística para determinar os fatores risco para não ser testada para a detecção do HIV. RESULTADOS: Foram entrevistadas 1.642 mães. Destas, 94,3 por cento informaram testadas para o HIV. Oitenta e nove (5,4 por cento) não foram testadas para HIV ou não sabiam se haviam feito o teste. Realizar menos do que seis consultas pré-natais, ausência de companheiro e idade inferior a 18 anos foram fatores de risco para não realização do teste. Houve interação entre escolaridade materna e categoria do atendimento pré-natal. Baixa escolaridade 22,20 (12,43-39,67) e alta escolaridade 3,38 (1,86-7,68) com acompanhamento pré-natal no setor privado foram condições preponderantes para não realização do teste de detecção do HIV. CONCLUSÕES: A testagem universal para a detecção do HIV durante o pré-natal no setor público foi implementada com sucesso pelo Ministério da Saúde. Contudo, novas intervenções e estratégias necessitam ser direcionadas objetivando ampliar o acesso ao diagnóstico da infecção por HIV no setor privado.

Social inequalities in maternal opinion of child development in southern Brazil.

AIMS AND METHODS: Concurrent validity of maternal opinion of child development was estimated in a cross-sectional, population-based survey of 6-59-mo children (n=3025), using a standard measure devised from the Denver Developmental Screening Test. RESULTS: Sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value increased with maternal education and family income. Positive predictive value was higher in low-income families and children with impairments, low birthweight and long hospital stays. CONCLUSION: Children at social and clinical risk should be assessed more carefully, even if maternal report is normal or advanced.