A protocol for routine voluntary antepartum human immunodeficiency virus antibody screening

A strategy should be developed for routine voluntary HIV testing of pregnant women. The incidence of HIV infection is increasing among women of childbearing age and their children. Routine HIV testing for pregnant women would increase the identification of women and children infected with HIV. Identification of HIV-infected women allows them to receive different types of counseling and medical care. Education on the transmission of the AIDS virus may prevent them from infecting others. Over 32,000 pregnant women underwent voluntary testing for HIV infection at one hospital. Prenatal patients at this hospital are asked to complete a questionnaire on risk behavior and are given information on HIV infection and AIDS. Patients who consent to testing undergo pretest counseling with a health educator. Over 350 HIV-infected women have been identified through this screening program.