Routine HIV and HBV antibody screening

Abstract

Following the directive from the Department of Health (1999) that action should be taken to reduce mother-to-baby transmission of HIV infection, Norfolk Health Authority instigated a series of workshops. The purpose was to prepare midwives for the task of integrating HIV and Hepatitis B (HBV) testing alongside other screening tests in a ‘low’ HIV prevalence area. This paper describes the challenges and methods used to help midwives acquire the necessary information and to identify and enhance their existing skills. An immediate uptake in excess of the required minimum 50% was achieved and after 12months uptake was 89%, approaching the target set for 31 December 2002 of 90%.