1. Serodiscordance and disclosure among HIV-positive pregnant women in the Southwestern United States.
- Author
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Nacius LA, Levison J, Minard CG, Fasser C, and Davila JA
- Subjects
- Adult, Female, HIV Seropositivity epidemiology, Hospitals, County, Humans, Male, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications, Infectious epidemiology, Prenatal Care, Prevalence, Retrospective Studies, Social Stigma, Socioeconomic Factors, Southwestern United States, Texas epidemiology, Viral Load, HIV immunology, HIV Seronegativity, HIV Seropositivity psychology, Pregnancy Complications, Infectious psychology, Sexual Partners, Truth Disclosure
- Abstract
The prevalence of HIV-positive pregnant women in relationships with HIV-negative men in the United States is unclear. The purpose of this study was to calculate the prevalence of HIV-positive pregnant women with a serodiscordant (HIV-negative) partner within a single clinic population, assess disclosure of their HIV status, and examine factors associated with disclosure. All HIV-positive pregnant women who received prenatal care at the Harris County Hospital District Women's Program at Northwest Health Center in Houston TX between 1/1/2006 and 4/1/2011 were identified. Data were obtained from electronic medical records. Prevalence of serodiscordance and disclosure was calculated, and predictors of disclosure were evaluated. We identified 212 HIV-positive pregnant women. About 40% had a serodiscordant partner, and 34% had a partner with an unknown HIV status. Disclosure occurred in over 90% of women with a serodiscordant partner and in 68% of women with partners whose HIV status was unknown. Among pregnant women who knew their HIV status prior to the current pregnancy and had a serodiscordant partner, 92% reported disclosing their status prior to conception. Our data indicated that serodiscordant relationships are common in our clinic population. Suboptimal disclosure rates were observed, especially among women who have a partner with an unknown HIV status. Further research is needed to evaluate the prevalence of serodiscordance and disclosure in other United States populations.
- Published
- 2013
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