The aim of the antenatal HIV screening programme is to identify pregnant women with HIV so they can be given treatment which will reduce the likelihood of HIV being transmitted to their baby

Antenatal HIV screening in New Zealand

The NSU recommends that all women in New Zealand are offered the opportunity for screening for HIV along with their other first antenatal blood tests when they first attend for antenatal care. 

National Screening Unit (NSU)

NSU is responsible for the national aspects of the programme such as developing guidelines, policy and standards for health practitioners, information resources for consumers, and a framework of data collection, monitoring and evaluation to make sure the programme is safe and effective for pregnant women.

Why screen?

Diagnosis and appropriate treatment of women with HIV in pregnancy reduces the chance of perinatal transmission of the virus from 31.5 percent to less than 1 percent. Appropriate treatment is planned individually, but includes antiretroviral medications in pregnancy and during labour and birth along with no breastfeeding and treatment for baby after birth.

Monitoring and evaluation

The NSU collaborated with the New Zealand AIDS Epidemiology Group (AEG) which has enabled monitoring and evaluation processes for the programme to be established. The NSU Quality and Equity team is responsible for leading ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the programme.