Midwives and HIV antibody testing: identifying the key factors for achieving the targets

A questionnaire study was designed to assess whether differences in knowled ge and attitudes to HIV infection existed between midwives working in areas of higher and lower HIV prevalence, and the extent to which this influence d the uptake of HIV antibody testing by their clients. The response rate wa s 75% (219/ 292). Midwives in an area of a higher HIV prevalence had signif icantly greater experience with HIV-positive mothers, were more confident w ith HIV-related issues and were less judgemental in their attitudes than mi dwives in an area of lower HIV prevalence. However, midwives who had been o ffering HIV testing for more than 2 years were significantly less likely to achieve an HIV antibody test uptake rate of more than 75% than those who h ad been offering testing for less than 2 years, 35% (95% confidence interva l [CI]: 22.2-48.6%) vs 67% (95% CI: 56.3-76.0%), respectively. This demonst rates the need for regular updating of midwives about HIV antibody testing.