Screening for HIV and hepatitis B virus in Los Angeles County prenatal clinics: a demonstration project

A project designed to pilot voluntary screening for HIV antibody and hepatitis B virus antigen (HBsAg) in women using Los Angeles County Department of Health Services prenatal clinics is described. The purpose of the study was to demonstrate that HIV testing could be integrated into an existing prenatal health care system with minimal disruption. In an 8-month period, 9,069 women entered the project; 76% accepted HIV antibody testing. The rate of HIV antibody seropositivity was 144 per 100,000 (10 per 6,943), and the rate of HBsAg seropositivity was 253 per 100,000 (23 per 9,103). No difference in test acceptance rates was found using a sign-off versus a sign-on HIV antibody consent form although potential confounders were not controlled. Only five of the eight HIV antibody-positive women (63%) and eight of the 20 HBsAg-positive women (40%) who were interviewed reported behaviors considered high risk for HIV or HBsAg infection.