HIV Knowledge Among Pregnant Latinas in Rural South Carolina

Abstract

To inform and strengthen culturally-tailored HIV perinatal prevention, we assessed HIV knowledge among pregnant Latinas receiving prenatal care in rural South Carolina. We administered an 11 item HIV knowledge scale (n = 171). Women who answered 8 of 11 (73 %) items correctly were categorized as having "high" knowledge; <8 items correct was categorized as "low" knowledge. Seventy-six percent of participants had low HIV knowledge; only 37 % knew that there is medicine to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission. In multivariate analyses, high HIV knowledge was more likely among women who had ≥high school education compared with women with elementary school education only (Adjusted Odds Ratio 10.5, 95 % Confidence Interval 3.3–33.6). These findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions to better inform Latinas regarding perinatal HIV prevention and transmission risks. Enhancing efforts with patients and providers is aligned with national goals for HIV prevention and elimination of perinatal transmission.

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