Review of antenatal testing policies and practice for HIV and hepatitis C infection.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate antenatal HIV and HCV testing policy and practice in Australia.

METHODS: A survey of private obstetricians and general practitioners (GPs) affiliated with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and directors of obstetric units in public hospitals was undertaken. Surveys were mailed to 40% and 20% random samples of private obstetricians and GPs, respectively, and all public hospital obstetric units. The questionnaires included information on type of antenatal policy, proportion of women tested for HIV and HCV, and number of HIV and HCV-positive women receiving antenatal care.

RESULTS: Of the 995 surveys distributed, 847 (85%) were returned. Of these 847, 277 (33%) were returned from practitioners or hospitals no longer involved in antenatal care. The response rates from the remaining practitioners (n=570) included 87% from private obstetricians, 78% from GPs, and 71% from public hospitals. The proportion of private obstetricians, GPs and public hospitals with an antenatal testing policy for HIV was 62%, 42% and 44%, and for HCV 65%, 41% and 39%, respectively. Universal offer of antenatal testing among private obstetricians, GPs and public hospitals was 47%, 62% and 23% for HIV and 54%, 46% and 23% for HCV, respectively. During 1999, an estimated 33% of pregnant women were tested for HIV and 37% for HCV. Based on reported numbers of women in antenatal care, prevalence rates were estimated at 0.23 per 1,000 and 13 per 1,000, for HIV and HCV, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Antenatal testing policy and practice varies widely in Australia. The lack of uniformity may reflect differing policies among clinical and public health bodies.