HIV Screening in Pregnancy

Publications

HIV Screening in Pregnancy

Date of publication: October 2004

Summary
Publication availability
Publishing information
Background papers

Summary
A report to the New Zealand Minister of Health evaluating antenatal HIV screening and making recommendations for the future direction of such screening.

The NHC was asked to consider whether New Zealand should move to a universal offer of antenatal HIV screening or retain the current policy of selective offer based on risk assessment. The committees findings and recommendations drew on advice from a scientific advisory group, a consultation process, and local and international evidence.

The findings from a National Health Committee (NHC) investigation note that while the estimated prevalence of antenatal HIV is low in this country, the overall rate of HIV is rising and its implications are significant both to individual women and society. It notes the prevalence of antenatal HIV is higher than that of some conditions already screened for, such as cystic fibrosis. Further, it is estimated that if women with HIV are identified during pregnancy and use a combination of interventions, the risk of mother-to-child transmission can be reduced from as high as 31.5 percent to less than 2 percent.

The NHC found there were concerns around current policy of selective offer based on risk assessment not being promoted or supported and around lack of specialist training for maternity care providers.

The report considers three potential policy options for antenatal HIV screening: current policy properly implemented, a new policy of universal offer of screening (opt-in) or a new policy of universal offer of screening (opt-out).

The NHC’s view was that improving implementation of the current policy is preferable to rejecting it altogether. It details specific ways to do this. However, it also recommends a study be carried out to trial a universal offer of screening (opt-out) to assess the potential feasibility, costs, acceptability and effectiveness of this approach.

Publication availability
This publication is available in PDF format below:

HIV Screening in Pregnancy (PDF, 832 KB)

This publication is also available in hard copy. You can order a copy by emailing moh@wickliffe.co.nz or calling 04 496 2277 quoting HP number 3994. Please let us know your name, your physical address and how many copies you would like.

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Publishing information
Date of publication: October 2004

ISBN (Document): 0-478-28500-0
ISBN (Internet): 0-478-28501-9

HP: 3994

Background papers
Review of Scientific Evidence on Antenatal HIV Screening: A Background Report, October 2003
Discussion Document: HIV Screening in Pregnancy October 2003