Universal antenatal HIV screening is cost effective in areas of high prevalence

Universal voluntary antenatal HIV screening has been recommended in London as a way of reducing vertical transmission. On p 1656 Postma et al present a cost effectiveness analysis of such a policy in England. Effectiveness was measured in life years gained among children in whom infection was averted and among mothers through earlier antiretroviral treatment. At screening costs of £4 per test and HIV prevalence in pregnant women of 15/10 000 screening is cost saving, and even with higher costs and lower prevalence screening is cost effective.


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Relevant Article

Universal HIV screening of pregnant women in England: cost effectiveness analysis
M J Postma, E J Beck, S Mandalia, L Sherr, M D S Walters, H Houweling, and J C Jager
BMJ 1999 318: 1656-1660. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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