Abstract

BACKGROUND: It is recommended that HIV re-testing should be done at third trimester, labour and at six months postpartum. Reports indicate low rates of HIV re-testing among women after delivery. The study assessed the uptake of HIV re-testing among women during postpartum after initially testing negative at ANC clinic in Ubungo district, Dar es salaam.

METHOD: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among women who delivered during the study period. Data was collected through a standardised questionnaire and secondary data was collected from the Health Information System and ANC cards. SPSS version 28 was used to analyse data. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to calculate the adjusted odds ratio and to quantify the association.

RESULTS: 426 women participated in the study. The overall HIV re-testing rate was 76.1%, 23.9% did not re-test and 2.1% were infected with HIV after the second test. Married women have higher re-testing rates (52.8%) than single, separated and divorcees. Women aged 25-34 years have significant higher (84.6%) proportion of re-testing for HIV than those < 25 and those > 34 years of age (p<0.001). Other significant predictors for HIV re-testing were women who made at least five or more visits to ANC and those who knew the HIV status of their partners.

CONCLUSION: HIV re-testing has not reached the Tanzania national target of 95%. Efforts to sensitise communities on the importance of early ANC booking at ANC and re-testing for HIV during labour, delivery and postpartum should be enhanced.

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