Uptake of HIV screening in an antenatal clinic.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the uptake of HIV screening in pregnant women attending a tertiary hospital antenatal clinic.

METHODS

An audit was undertaken in an antenatal clinic where HIV screening was routinely offered to all women following counselling. For the women offered HIV testing, note was taken whether the woman agreed to testing or refused, and if so, the reason for refusal.

RESULTS

Sixty eight percent of women who were offered testing opted to have the test performed. Thirty two percent of women decided against testing, with half of these reporting a recent (negative) HIV test result.

CONCLUSIONS

Over 80% of pregnant women were willing to have HIV testing.

IMPLICATIONS

With the introduction of recommendations that all pregnant women be given the opportunity for HIV screening, a high participation rate can be expected from women who are offered testing, with the potential for minimisation of vertical transmission by identification of HIV positive women.