HIV SCREENING FOR PREGNANT-WOMEN IN SOUTH EASTERN FRANCE - EVOLUTION 1992-1994-1996

Objectives: To assess the evolution of the HIV screening practices tow ards pregnant women between 1992 and 1996, in relation with the 1993 F rench mandatory obligation to offer prenatal HIV testing and recent th erapeutic possibilities to reduce HIV vertical transmission. Study des ign: Three successive surveys (January 1992, May 1994 and May 1996) ab out HIV screening policies among medical chiefs of all prenatal care a nd abortion departments of South Eastern France. Sixty-seven of the 74 departments concerned agreed to participate in the three surveys. Res ults: The proportion of departments practising routine prenatal HIV sc reening had not increased since 1992 (89%) but systematic women's cons ent is more often requested (65.5 vs. 38.2%, P < 0.01). In the context of abortion, HIV testing is more often routinely offered (38.1 vs. 16 .4%, P < 0.05) but selective screening remains a frequent practice (29 .1%). Conclusion: Mandatory proposal of HIV testing to women who termi nate could improve access to test but is not sufficient to guarantee a dequate preventive counselling. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.