Evaluation of 2 techniques of HIV pre-test counselling for pregnant women in West Africa

This study compares the effect of group and individual pre-test counselling on uptake of HIV voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) by African pregna nt women and knowledge about HIV/AIDS in 2 antenatal clinics of Bobo-Dioula sso, Burkina Faso. Pre-test counselling was offered to 3958 pregnant women, 927 by group counselling and 3031 by individual counselling. Acceptance of the test improved with individual counselling, which was already high with group counselling (93.3% versus 89.4%). The return rate for results was in dependent of the pre-test counselling technique. At post-test session, know ledge about HIV/AIDS was better after group than individual counselling, ex cept for reporting the existence of an asymptomatic stage of HIV infection. At a public health level, group pre-test counselling can be easily integra ted into existing sessions of antenatal care counselling, routinely perform ed by the current clinic staff. Our findings may help programme managers in the held of maternal and child health to choose optimal options of pre-tes t counselling adapted to local circumstances in resource-poor settings.