BACKGROUND: HIV counseling and testing (HCT) should be routinely offered to all pregnant patients since HCT is considered as a gateway to the access of treatment and prevention of spread to non-infected individuals.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the association of HIV knowledge, testing attitudes and risk assessment for HIV with the acceptance of HIV counseling and testing among pregnant patients seen at the antenatal clinic of a tertiary government hospital.

METHODS: A total of 293 respondents were included and asked to answer an investigator-guided self-administered questionnaire on HIV knowledge, testing attitudes, assessment of risk for HIV and acceptance of HIV counseling and testing. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression-analysis.

RESULTS: The respondents of this study were on average 28 years old, with a range of 15 to 44 years old, mostly Catholic and single, high school graduates who are currently unemployed. The respondents generally have low level of HIV knowledge, positive testing attitudes and assessed to be at low risk factors for HIV. The findings showed level of knowledge and condom use was not associated with acceptance of HIV counseling and testing.

CONCLUSION: Acceptance of HIV counseling and testing was significantly associated with positive testing attitudes, and low prevalence of risk factors such as, no history of multiple sex partners, no history of IV drug use, no history of imprisonment and no history of having sex in exchange for money or drugs.