HIV/AIDS knowledge and risk behaviour in Hong Kong Chinese pregnant women

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Abstract
Background. With the increase in HIV infection among childbearing aged women in Hong Kong, health department policy‐makers are considering the implementation of antenatal HIV screening to identify infected mothers. However, little is known about women's understanding of HIV/AIDS, and their attitudes towards HIV screening.Aim. The aim of this study was to explore pregnant women's knowledge about HIV/AIDS, their perceptions of risk, risk behaviour and management, and their attitudes towards HIV screening.Methods. A cross‐sectional study was carried out, and all Chinese pregnant women who attended an antenatal clinic of a regional hospital in Hong Kong in the month of December 2000 were invited to complete a questionnaire.Findings. Hong Kong pregnant women had fairly good general knowledge of HIV/AIDS (mean score = 4·8/6), but were less knowledgeable on specific mother‐to‐child HIV transmission (mean score = 3·6/6). There were statistically significant differences between those with different levels of education (χ2 = 19·81; P < 0·001) and between Hong Kong born residents and immigrants from the Chinese mainland (z = −4·03; P < 0·001). Over a third (36·7%) of all pregnant women perceived a risk of contracting HIV. If HIV infection were suspected, over 70% would have HIV screening together with their spouse. If HIV was confirmed, 24% would terminate the pregnancy. As many as 78·5% and 72·8% of women believed that HIV screening should be carried out before marriage and pregnancy respectively. Only 4·7% would choose universal opt‐out antenatal HIV testing.Recommendations. Health educators should provide tailored‐made education programmes for women at risk, particularly those at lower education levels and those who have come from the Chinese mainland, to enhance their knowledge about mother‐to‐child HIV transmission, and to promote awareness of safe sex. Health policy‐makers should consider the possibility of providing pre‐marriage and pre‐pregnancy HIV screening for women.