Investigation of Existing Educational Content Regarding HIV-Positive Pregnant Women in Genetic Counseling Programs

[摘要] Objectives/Research Questions: The purpose of this study was to assess existing curricula regarding HIV positive pregnant women in genetic counseling graduate programs. Methods: Genetic counseling programs were surveyed to assess existing curricula regarding prevention and treatment issues for HIV positive pregnant women. Programs were asked to identify their need for HIV-related educational materials, specifically issues and content needed to provide effective education for students and types of materials that would most benefit programs. Results: Of the 32 graduate genetic counseling programs, 26 (81.3%) responded to the survey. The data show that 65.4% currently offer HIV education in their curriculum. With regard to development of educational materials to address HIV in pregnancy, 64.3% (9/14) of programs that provide HIV education and 88.9% (8/9) of programs that provide no HIV education indicated they would benefit from development of these materials. The most commonly requested materials were webinars, PowerPoint presentations, and clinical case examples.Conclusions: The results of this study indicate a need for the development of additional educational materials addressing issues specific to HIV positive pregnant women and reduction of perinatal transmission. Through the Pennsylvania/MidAtlantic AIDS Education and Training Center, web-based seminars and other educational materials were developed for distribution to genetic counseling programs.Implications for Public Health: HIV is a major public health issue for all health-care providers who work with women of child-bearing age. Improving knowledge of HIV prevention and treatment in pregnant women is important for genetic counselors who may encounter HIV-positive pregnant women in their clinical practice.

[发布机构] the University of Pittsburgh

[效力级别] education