Record HIV year prompts screening at pregnancy

HIV screening for pregnant women will start later this month, following a record year for HIV diagnosis rates.

New Zealand posted the highest diagnosis rate in its recorded history last year, with 183 cases. Six were babies infected through mother-to-child transmission, a rate which one health professional said put the country on a par with the Third World.

Health Minister Pete Hodgson announced yesterday that Waikato District Health Board would be the first to begin rolling out the universal programme, from March 20.

It is hoped all 21 health boards will have completed the necessary work - such as midwife and GP training - within the next three years to offer a screening service. The Auckland board hopes to start its programme later this year.

"If detected early, an HIV pregnancy may result in a healthy HIV-free child. Between eight and 18 women a year may be found to be HIV positive," said Mr Hodgson.

College of Midwives chief executive officer Karen Guilliland said midwives and other health professionals have been offering the HIV-test based on whether they believe a woman may be at risk of contracting the disease.

"I am confident that the inclusion of HIV testing to be offered to pregnant women as a part of the blood tests available should have little effect on what is required of our midwives."

Mrs Guilliland says it will remain the woman's choice whether she takes the HIV test, which is the situation in New Zealand for the suite of antenatal blood tests available.

HIV screening will be incorporated into existing tests for pregnant women between eight and 14 weeks, which include screening for rubella, syphilis and hepatitis B.