Socioeconomic inequalities in the HIV testing during antenatal care: evidence from Indian demographic health survey, 2015–16

Abstract

Background In India, there is currently a lack of data on socioeconomic inequalities in HIV testing on a national scale; thus, understanding socioeconomic inequalities in response to expanded HIV testing is critical for assessing and ensuring equity of HIV programmes in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals. The specific objective of the study was to determine the factor associated with HIV testing during antenatal care and assess the socio-economic inequalities in HIV testing during antenatal care (ANC) among Indian women aged 15–49 years with a live birth in the two years preceding the survey. Methods The results drawn from the state module of women data file of fourth round of National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4, 2015–16), considering HIV testing during antenatal care among women aged 15–49 who gave live birth in the two years preceding the survey and received the result of HIV test as a matter of fact. Method, such as, descriptive statistics, binary ogistic regression, concentration index were used in the analysis. Results The findings of the study show that HIV testing during antenatal care was low (30%) among women in India. Our findings reveal that there were significant inequalities exist in HIV testing during ANC between richer and poorer quintile of women. Education, place of residence, comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS, and regular exposure of mass media were substantially contributing to socioeconomic inequality in HIV testing during ANC among women in India. Conclusions The socioeconomic inequities in HIV testing during pregnancy should be monitored and addressed in order to ensure an equitable distribution of the benefits specially among children and accomplishments of HIV programs in India.

Socioeconomic inequalities in uptake of HIV testing during antenatal care: evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

“…This finding demonstrated how poverty greatly affects HIV testing thru ANC. Our findings, which indicate that there is discrimination against poorer populations when it comes to HIV testing during ANC are consistent with those of research conducted in the SSA [ 24 ], and India [ 27 ].…”

“…It might also be a result of the Rwanda Ministry of Health’s endorsement of provider initiated testing and counselling (PITC) as a strategy to expand the availability of HIV testing and warrant prompt HIV diagnosis among women (Awopegba et al, 2020; Kayigamba et al, 2015). The lowest HIV testing rate found in Mauritania is, however, far lower than the rates reported in earlier research, which included 35.1% in Ethiopia [ 25 ], 35.1% in Mozambique [ 26 ], 81.5% in Uganda [ 11 ], and 30% in India [ 27 ]. The low prevalence could be linked to the low uptake of ANC services in Mauritania, as women in West Africa were generally less probable to obtain ANC [ 12 ].…”

“…This result raises the possibility that mothers who are educated could be better aware of MTCT for HIV and comprehend the advantages of HIV testing at ANC. Moreover, educated mothers might be greatly exposed to information about HIV, comprehend the advantages of HIV therapy, and be better equipped to decide whether or not to get tested [ 27 ]. This study supports previous findings from other developing countries that women who have completed secondary school or higher are probable to know highly about MTCT [ 31 ].…”

Factors affecting antenatal screening for HIV in Nepal: results from Nepal Demographic and Health Surveys 2016 and 2022

“…A number of studies conducted in Asia have looked at the barriers to antenatal screening for STDs (Sabin L., Haghparast-Bidgoli H., Miller F. and Saville N., A systematic review of barriers and facilitators to antenatal screening for HIV, syphilis or hepatitis B in Asia: perspectives of pregnant women, their relatives and healthcare providers). From the supply side, common barriers identified include limited availability to antenatal screening services4–10 and low support and knowledge about STDs among health workers 6 11–13. Demand-side factors are numerous and include socioeconomic and demographic factors,4 7–9 12 14 15 knowledge about STDs,4 11 13–15 fear of husband’s reaction and stigma6 11 12 16 and low risk perception 9 11 12 14.…”

“…From the supply side, common barriers identified include limited availability to antenatal screening services4–10 and low support and knowledge about STDs among health workers 6 11–13. Demand-side factors are numerous and include socioeconomic and demographic factors,4 7–9 12 14 15 knowledge about STDs,4 11 13–15 fear of husband’s reaction and stigma6 11 12 16 and low risk perception 9 11 12 14. However, no study, to our knowledge, has investigated factors associated with HIV antenatal screening in South Asia using data collected after 2015.…”