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Uptake of antenatal HIV testing in the United Kingdom: 2000-2003
Claire L Townsend1, Susan Cliffe, Pat A Tookey
1Centre for Paediatric Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK.
Background:
A policy for routine antenatal HIV testing was introduced in England in 1999, with uptake targets for 2000 and 2002; similar policies were subsequently introduced throughout the UK.
Methods:
Date of implementation of the policy and data for estimating annual uptake of testing 2000-2003 were collected through postal survey of unit-based obstetric respondents to the National Study of HIV in Pregnancy and Childhood (NSHPC).
Results:
Implementation date was reported for every unit; uptake data were provided for about three-quarters of implementing units each year. The policy was implemented in 78% (152/195) of English units by end of 2000; 78% (89/114) of units providing data achieved at least 50% uptake that year. By 2002, almost one-third (46/151) of English units reported 90% uptake or more, and over half (84/151) 80%. All but three UK units introduced the policy by the end of 2003, and of those providing adequate uptake data, 38% (66/175) reported at least 90% uptake and 69% (121/175) at least 80%; however, 19% (41/216) of respondents still had difficulty providing adequate data for estimating uptake.
Conclusions:
High uptake of HIV testing was reported from most UK units for 2003, but simple, robust and uniform methods for monitoring uptake at local and regional levels are still required.
