The evidence for a change in antenatal HIV screening policy in Australia.
Australia is one of the few developed countries without routine antenatal HIV screening, despite having the resources to undertake such a screening program and the availability of antiretroviral therapy. National policy recommends that only women with identified risk factors should be offered testing; however, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recommends that all pregnant women be offered HIV testing as part of their antenatal care. Knowledge of a woman's HIV status during pregnancy allows interventions to improve her health and reduce the risk of transmission of HIV to her child. A universal antenatal HIV screening program meets many of the Wilson and Jungner criteria for population-based screening programs. This should be considered in the current review of Australia's HIV testing policy.
Giles
Michelle L
ML
Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. michelle.giles@burnet.edu.au
Hellard
Margaret E
ME
Lewin
Sharon R
SR
Mijch
Anne M
AM
D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000592:standards*; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis