Rate of Couple HIV Testing in a Prenatal Care Clinic and Factors Associated with Refusal of Testing Among Male Partners

OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate of HIV testing in couples during pregnancy and the reasons and risk factors related to male partners refusing to be tested. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in pregnant women undergoing prenatal care after receiving information about HIV testing on their first visit. After 20 weeks of gestation, they were approached to participate in the study, which consisted of an interview and examination of their medical records. Data collection included the women’s socioeconomic status, obstetric condition and serological test results together with their partner information. If relevant, the partner’s reasons for refusing to undergo HIV testing. RESULTS: A total of 400 pregnant women were recruited between February and August 2018, 150 (37.5%) of whose male partners underwent HIV testing. There were five couples in which one or both members were found to be positive for HIV: 1 seroconcordant couple, 1 serodiscordant couple in which the pregnant woman was positive, and 3 serodiscordant couples in which the male partners were positive. The most common reason for male partners refusing to take the test was their already having been tested once before. The women having had other sexual partners prior to their current partners was a significant risk factor for the partners refusing to be tested. CONCLUSION: There was a low rate of couple HIV testing and a substantial portion of discordant infection among positive couples. Routine couples counseling and testing should be encouraged to reduce the vertical transmission and the number of new cases of HIV infection.