[Acceptability of a test for antibodies against HIV in a group of pregnant women in Yucatan, Mexico].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the acceptability of a test for antibodies against HIV (Ab-HIV) in a group of pregnant women in Yucatan, Mexico.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

A clinical and epidemiological study was carried out on 310 pregnant women at different health centers in Yucatan Mexico, from January 2000 to March 2001. A questionnaire was applied to determine information in relation to HIV infection and acceptability of the test. Prior counselling was given to all those who accepted being tested.

RESULTS

The median age was 24 (range 14 to 42). A 64.5% had a basic education, 91.6% were homemakers; 38% of the sexual partners worked away from home; 15% said they had more than one sexual partner; 31% had leukorrhea at the time of testing and 69% at some time in the past. Ninety percent of the women accepted being tested for HIV and all of them showed negative results.

CONCLUSION

The acceptability of the test was similar to that reported in the international literature. The cost benefits of such a test must be considered, but always within the values of prevailing normative and respect of human rights of women. Despite zero prevalence, we found factors favourable for HIV infection.