Prevalence and Related Factors of HIV Screening Adherence Among Pregnant Women in Primary and Secondary Healthcare Facilities: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection prevention is a cornerstone in the control of the epidemic. HIV screening in pregnant women and timely administration of antiretroviral treatment are key actions in this prevention. This study aimed to describe the HIV screening adherence among pregnant women and its related factors in Beni-Mellal city, Morocco. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 250 pregnant women attending facilities offering prenatal care services in Beni-Mellal, Morocco, between March and June 2025. Participants were collected using a non-probabilistic sampling. The sociodemographic, economic and clinical characteristics were collected through a guided interview questionnaire. A non-probabilistic Qui-square test was used to determine factors associated with the HIV screening adherence. A binomial logistic regression model was applied to determine potential factors influencing this adherence. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The rate of women that took the HIV test was 43.2%. The data analysis revealed the factors to be positively associated with HIV screening adherence to be previous knowledge about the test (p = 0.001, and the healthcare team proposing the test (p = 0.001). Conclusions: The systematization of HIV testing offered during pregnancy should be reinforced and the fight against stigmatization should be strengthened in health strategies to improve HIV screening adherence and enhance the prevention of mother-to-child transmission.