Antenatal HIV screening on the rise

(Aotea News, December 2009)

Latest figures from the programme offering all pregnant women an antenatal HIV test show 70 percent of pregnant women were tested in August – a big improvement over the 12 percent in April prior to the start of the programme.

The programme began in the Capital and Coast district in May, and in the Hutt Valley district in July.

The health boards recommend the test be offered at the first antenatal screening.

The August figures show that GPs ordered 67 percent of first antenatal blood tests. Midwives ordered 15 percent.

Early data shows that more GPs and Specialists are ordering HIV together with the first antenatal bloods than are midwives.

HIV infections are increasing in New Zealand’s heterosexual population. Pregnancy is an especially high stakes event, because the potential HIV transmission to a baby is high at 25–31.5 percent. It is therefore important that this testing is done on pregnant women.

Need more information?

The contacts for the antenatal HIV screening programme in our local DHB regions are:

• Sarah Gilbertson E: Sarah.Gilbertson@ccdhb.org.nz
• Nicola Giblett E: Nicola.Giblett@huttvalleydhb.org.nz