Why are antenatal HIV testing policies in London failing?

Abstract

The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in women who have had live births has increased since 1988, particularly in London (Unlinked Anonymous HIV Surveys Steering Group, 1995). In 1994,1 in every 580 women delivering in London was infected with HIV and in some London maternity units this figure was as high as 1 in every 200 women. As HIV infection can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, labour or breastfeeding (vertical transmission), this rising prevalence has particular relevance to the care of these women during pregnancy, labour and the puerperium.