Objective: In order to determine the practice habits of obstetricians concerning frequency of prenatal
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing and management strategies for HIV-seropositive obstetric patients, we
conducted a telephone survey of practicing obstetricians over a 3-month period.Methods: In the New Orleans metropolitan area, 71/104 (68%) obstetricians participated and
completed the survey.Results: Of these obstetricians, 43/71 (60.6%) test all new obstetric patients for HIV; 64/71
(84.5%) routinely ask the patients about risk factors for infection; and 28/71 (39.4%) have actually cared for
an HIV-positive patient in their practice. Those obstetricians who routinely tested for HIV
were more likely to have personally managed an infected patient and more likely to ask about risk
factors. The number of obstetricians who would manage infected patients without consultative
assistance was 8/71 (11%).Conclusions: We concluded that obstetricians in this community have largely accepted routinely
offered prenatal testing and risk assessment, but they have assumed a relatively small role in risk
reduction counseling and treatment.