Perceptions and experiences of pregnant women about routine HIV testing and counselling in Ghimbi town, Ethiopia: a qualitative study

Table 2 Thematic presentation of pregnant women’s perceptions and experiences of HIV testing as part of antenatal care at antenatal clinics in Ghimbi town, West Ethiopia

Themes	Sub-themes
HIV testing during pregnancy is beneficial	HIV status
HIV testing during pregnancy is beneficial	Protect unborn babies
Inadequate pre-test counselling	Client overload
	Post-test counselling important
	Prevention mother-to-child transmission of HIV is impossible
HIV testing is compulsory for all pregnant women	HIV testing for all pregnant women
	Government law
	Emphasis on the benefits of HIV testing
	Providers’ stance to protect unborn baby
HIV testing perceived as a prerequisite to other health services	Denial of health services
	Low quality of health services