OBSTETRICS Acceptance of a Rapid Herpes Test in Labour: Survey of Attitudes of Patients and Health Care Providers

Objective: To determine the acceptability to pregnant women and their health care providers of a rapid test for genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) in labour. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with outpatient pregnant women and their health care providers (obstetricians, family physicians and midwives) at BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre. Results: Of pregnant women approached, 207 (92%) completed the survey; 90 % reported no history of genital herpes. Rapid HSV testing in labour was acceptable to 85 % of pregnant women. Among the 133 women who were planning a vaginal delivery, 63% were willing to consider delivery by Caesarean section and 53% were willing to consider intrapartum anti-viral medications if HSV was present in the genital tract. Of 51 health care provider