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Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 infection on the rate and indications for cesarean section (CS) according to Robson's Ten-Group Classification system. Methodology: Our study was a 6-month retrospective observational study at the Maternal and Child Health Wing where every antenatal woman who was admitted irrespective of gestational age and whether in labor or not was customarily screened for COVID-19 infection. Based on the mode of delivery, all delivered women were classified into two groups: vaginal or cesarean, and the information was then further classified according to Robson's classification. Data collected were analyzed using Excel sheets, and Chi-square test was applied to evaluate if the difference in CS rates was statistically significant. Results: During COVID months, a total number of confinements were 877, among which the cesarean section were 381, contributing to a rate of 43.4%. The total COVID-19-positive confinements during the same period were 68. Group 2 formed the vast majority of CSs, followed by Group 1 and 5. During the post-COVID months, summation of confinements was 1443, among which the CS were 580, thereby contributing to a rate of 40.1%. In contrast to COVID time, Group 5 formed the greatest chunk contributing to CS rate, followed by Group 2 and 1. There was a statistically significant difference among confinements during COVID and post-COVID period and between CS rates among COVID-19 positive and negative women. Conclusion: During the COVID pandemic, there was a decrease in the number of confinement in our hospital. However, the CS rate increased and according to Robson's classification Group 1 and 2 made greatest contribution to CSs due to changed dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: HIV self-testing can increase coverage of essential HIV services. This study aimed to establish the acceptability, concordance and feasibility of supervised HIV self-testing among pregnant women in rural India.Methods: A cross-sectional, mixed methods study was conducted among 202 consenting pregnant women in a rural Indian hospital between August 2014 and January 2015. Participants were provided with instructions on how to self-test using OraQuick® HIV antibody test, and subsequently asked to self-test under supervision of a community health worker. Test results were confirmed at a government-run integrated counselling and testing centre. A questionnaire was used to obtain information on patient demographics and the ease, acceptability and difficulties of self-testing. In-depth interviews were conducted with a sub-sample of 35 participants to understand their experiences.Results: In total, 202 participants performed the non-invasive, oral fluid-based, rapid test under supervision for HIV screening. Acceptance rate was 100%. Motivators for self-testing included: ease of testing (43.4%), quick results (27.3%) and non-invasive procedure (23.2%). Sensitivity and specificity were 100% for 201 tests, and one test was invalid. Concordance of test result interpretation between community health workers and participants was 98.5% with a Cohen’s Kappa (k) value of k=0.566 with p<0.001 for inter-rater agreement. Although 92.6% participants reported that the instructions for the test were easy to understand, 18.7% required the assistance of a supervisor to self-test. Major themes that emerged from the qualitative interviews indicated the importance of the following factors in influencing acceptability of self-testing: clarity and accessibility of test instructions; time-efficiency and convenience of testing; non-invasiveness of the test; and fear of incorrect results. Overall, 96.5% of the participants recommended that the OraQuick® test kits should become publicly available.Conclusions: Self-testing for HIV status using an oral fluid-based rapid test under the supervision of a community health worker was acceptable and feasible among pregnant women in rural India. Participants were supportive of making self-testing publicly available. Policy guidelines and implementation research are required to advance HIV self-testing for larger populations at scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitika Pant Pai and colleagues report the results of offering a round-the-clock rapid HIV testing program in a rural labor ward setting in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]