Article Text
Abstract
Objectives Cervical dysplasia is an HIV indicator condition and according international recommendations HIV testing is strongly advised in women with cervical dysplasia, because the risk of an undiagnosed HIV is thought to be >0.1%. Therefore an HIV test should be offered to all women with cervical dysplasia. There is no literature about the opinion of Gynaecologist on HIV screening in patients with cervical dysplasia.
Methods We sent an online questionnaire to gynecologist in South West Netherlands to investigate 1) what they know about this issue, 2) their opinion and willingness on active HIV testing for this cervical dysplasia.
Results The questionaire was sent to 103 gynaecologists of whom fifty-six participants replied (54%). Forty-eight (86%) think patients are not offended when HIV testing is offered and 50 (89%) have no difficulty to address HIV testing. Thirty-nine (70%) gynaecologist think that the prevalence of undiagnosed HIV infection is lower than 0.1%, and only seven (12,5%) accept HIV testing in case of a prevalence of 0.1% or less. Thirthy-two (57%) are willing to test with a prevalence of 1% or higher.
Conclusions To address and offer HIV testing seems not an issue for the gynaecologists questioned in our study. However, the willingness to routinely perform an HIV test for cervical dysplasia at the assumed 0.1% prevalence looks insufficient and differs from the recommendations of international policy makers. Discussion is needed tot change the treshold or the willingness for testing.