Screening for HIV in pregnancy

Women who have legally migrated to New Zealand since November 2005, including those who have arrived as part of the New Zealand refugee quota, should have been tested for HIV as part of their immigration screening, and therefore their HIV status may already be known. However, all women should be offered HIV screening in each pregnancy irrespective of whether they have been tested previously.

Women with no or limited English language skills will require a professional interpreter when being offered the test and being given the results. It is not recommended practice to use family members or friends as interpreters.

Eligibility

Pregnant women who do not meet the eligibility criteria should still be offered antenatal HIV screening. If a woman tests positive for HIV, her antenatal care costs including treatment required to limit the risk of perinatal transmission and the birth are publicly funded. Once born, her baby will be provided with appropriate care to continue the prevention of perinatal transmission (Ministry of Health, 2015a).

Information about caring for a woman who is HIV positive is provided in the Ministry of Health (2015a) Guidelines for Health Practitioners Offering Antenatal HIV Screening in New Zealand and in DHB policies and protocols.