Patient Perceptions of Obstetrician-gynecologists’ Practices Related to HIV Testing

Objectives The objectives of this study were to (1) determine the percentage of obstetrician-gynecologists’ patients who have been tested for HIV; (2) examine patient attitudes about HIV testing and patients’ knowledge about their own risk status; (3) determine primary reasons patients decline an HIV test; and (4) learn patient recall of how their obstetrician-gynecologists approach the topic of HIV testing. Method Survey packets were mailed to each of 687 obstetrician-gynecologists who are members of the Collaborative Ambulatory Research Network (CARN) to distribute to their patients. Data are reported from 851 patient respondents (297 pregnant and 554 non-pregnant), and were analyzed utilizing independent samples t-tests, χ² analysis, and linear regression. Results Two-thirds of respondents (65%/n = 534) reported having been tested for HIV at some point, although the majority (72%) did not recall that their current obstetrician-gynecologist had recommended HIV testing. Among pregnant respondents specifically, 61% did not recall that their current obstetrician-gynecologist had recommended HIV testing, although 82% reported having had an HIV test at some point and 71% stated they had received their most recent HIV test results from their obstetrician-gynecologist during their current pregnancy. Age, race, and pregnancy status were linked to likelihood of patient recall of receiving an HIV testing recommendation from their obstetrician-gynecologist; with young, pregnant, Hispanic, and African-American patients most likely to recall a test recommendation. Perceived low risk was the primary reason given for declining an HIV test. Only 2% of respondents considered themselves high-risk for HIV despite almost half of the sample reporting having had unprotected sex at some point with more than one partner. Conclusions Many patients did not recall that their obstetrician-gynecologist had ever recommended HIV testing, although the majority had been tested. Efforts should be made to increase communication between obstetrician-gynecologists and their patients related to HIV risk status and HIV testing.