HIV screening for pregnant women in South Eastern France: evolution 1992-1994-1996

Objectives: To assess the evolution of the HIV screening practices towards pregnant women between 1992 and 1996, in relation with the 1993 French mandatory obligation to offer prenatal HIV testing and recent therapeutic possibilities to reduce HIV vertical transmission. Study design: Three successive surveys (January 1992, May 1994 and May 1996) about HIV screening policies among medical chiefs of all prenatal care and abortion departments of South Eastern France. Sixty-seven of the 74 departments concerned agreed to participate in the three surveys. Results: The proportion of departments practising routine prenatal HIV screening had not increased since 1992 (89%) but systematic women's consent 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 terminate could improve access to test but is not sufficient to guarantee adequate preventive counselling. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.