HIV-Related Knowledge, Attitudes, Perceived Benefits, and Risks of HIV Testing Among Pregnant Women in Rural Southern India

The rising prevalence of HIV among pregnant women in rural India is of great concern. Prenatal voluntary counseling and HIV testing (VCT) is critical to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT). We surveyed 202 pregnant women attending a rural antenatal clinic in Southern India to investigate HIV-related knowledge, attitudes toward infant feeding practices, and perceived benefits and risks of HIV testing. Of the total of 202 women surveyed, 189 women (94%) had heard of HIV/AIDS and 60% of them had relatively good knowledge regarding risk factors for HIV transmission. However, 48% did not know that there are "means to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission." If women were not to breastfeed her baby, negative attitudes expected from the partner would include 84% thinking that that the mother is harming the baby, 78% thinking she is not a good mother, 74% thinking she has HIV, and 66% thinking she has been unfaithful. Ninety-seven percent of women did not perceive themselves at risk for HIV and ...