Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of obstetricians-gynecologists regarding the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus infection.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and practices of obstetricians-gynecologists regarding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention.

METHODS

Office-based obstetricians-gynecologists in the Washington, DC metropolitan area who reported providing primary care were interviewed by telephone. The survey response rate was 62% (N = 268).

RESULTS

The percentages of obstetricians-gynecologists who reported regularly assessing the HIV risk of new adolescent and adult patients were 67 and 40%, respectively. Seventy-two percent reported regularly counseling patients at risk to use condoms for vaginal intercourse, and 60% regularly counseled patients at risk to limit their number of sexual partners. The level of general risk-factor assessment and confidence in the ability to reduce patients' HIV risk were the strongest correlates of the frequency and thoroughness of HIV risk assessment and counseling.

CONCLUSIONS

The percentage of obstetricians-gynecologists who assess and counsel patients about HIV risks is below the 75% goal for the year 2000 established by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Continuing medical education for obstetricians-gynecologists is needed to improve their knowledge and skills in HIV prevention.