Health and medical professionals antenatal HIV testing practices and perceived barriers to routine testing in Tasmania, Australia: a qualitative study

Conclusion Antenatal HIV testing is undertaken within a discordant discourse generating clinical hesitancy where HIV is perceived as a theoretical risk and surrounded by stigma. Using neutral language and replacing the words ‘routine’ and ‘recommended’ with ‘universal’ testing in public health policy and clinical guidelines could increase health providers’ confidence and reduce ambiguity and the legacy of HIV stigma.
Source: BMJ Open - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Open access HIV/AIDS Source Type: research