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Identification of HIV-infected pregnant women by antenatal screening is crucial to prevent mother-to-child transmission. In Hong Kong, little is known about women's opinions about the screening test. This cross-sectional study examines the decisions of Hong Kong Chinese pregnant women to undergo antenatal HIV screening and the reasons for their choices. Among 191 pregnant women studied, 147 (77.0%) indicated that they would opt for antenatal HIV screening if offered. Of those, 113 (76.9%) would do so for 'the health of their newborns' and 93 (63.3%) for 'their own health'. Fourteen (7.3%) would decline the test, because they have 'one stable sexual partner' ( n =9, 64.3%) and believe that 'HIV infection was not their concern' ( n =8, 57.1%). Women with a lower educational attainment (adjusted OR=3.77; 95% C.I., 1.12-12.67, p =0.03) were likely to choose antenatal HIV screening. Results of this study are predictive of pregnant women's responses to Hong Kong's newly enacted antenatal HIV screening programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]