A decision analysis of mandatory compared with voluntary HIV testing in pregnant women

No. 185-HIV Screening in Pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this guideline is to provide recommendations to obstetric health care providers and to minimize practice variations for HIV screening, while taking provincial and territorial recommendations into account.

OUTCOMES

The risk of transmission of HIV from mother to fetus is significant if the mother is not treated. The primary outcome of screening for and treating HIV in pregnancy is a marked decrease in the rate of vertical transmission of HIV from mother to fetus. Secondary outcomes include confirmation of HIV infection in the woman, which allows optimization of her health and long-term management.

EVIDENCE

The Cochrane Library and Medline were searched for English-language articles published related to HIV screening and pregnancy. Additional articles were identified through the references of these articles. All study types were reviewed.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Unknown Antenatal HIV-Infection Status Has Declined Over Time in British Columbia, Canada

OBJECTIVES

The objective was to determine whether the proportion of pregnant women with unknown antenatal HIV-infection status is declining over time in British Columbia (BC) and whether associated factors are amenable to intervention.

METHODS

Through a retrospective cohort study of all deliveries in the British Columbia Perinatal Data Registry from 2005 to 2011, we examined the association between year of delivery and no recorded antenatal HIV test result. The trend in unknown antenatal HIV-infection status over time was evaluated by the Cochran-Mantel-Haenzsel test and multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the odds of unknown antenatal HIV-infection status by year of delivery.

RESULTS

A total of 299 771 deliveries were included; 9.1% had unknown antenatal HIV-infection status with a declining trend from 12.7% to 5.5% from 2005 to 2011 (P <0.0001). Adjusted for maternal age, parity, gestation, and number of antenatal visits, pregnant women were 64% less likely to not have antenatal HIV testing in 2011 compared to 2005 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.36; 95% CI 0.34-0.38). The odds of no antenatal HIV testing were 54% higher in multiparous compared to primiparous women (aOR 1.54; 95% CI 1.49-1.58), and each additional antenatal visit reduced the odds of no antenatal HIV testing by 8% (aOR 0.92; 95% CI 0.92-0.93).

CONCLUSION

The declining trend in unknown antenatal HIV-infection status in BC is encouraging. Consistent with Canadian and BC HIV testing guidelines, further strengthening of routine testing at the first antenatal visit in all pregnancies irrespective of previous HIV testing, particularly in multiparous women, could achieve universal pregnancy HIV testing in BC.

Home-based HIV voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) for improving uptake of HIV testing

BACKGROUND

The low uptake of HIV voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) has hindered global attempts to prevent new HIV infections and has limited scale-up of HIV care and treatment. Globally, only 10% of HIV-infected individuals are aware of their HIV status. One approach to increase uptake is home-based HIV VCT, which may be effective in increasing the number of patients on treatment and preventing new infections.

OBJECTIVES

To establish the effect of home-based HIV VCT on uptake of HIV testing

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched MEDLINE (February 2007), EMBASE (February 2007), CENTRAL (February 2007), AIDSearch (February 2007), LILACS, CINAHL and Sociofile. We also contacted relevant researchers. The original review search strategy was updated in 2008.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials comparing home-based HIV VCT with other testing models

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently selected studies, assessed methodological quality, and extracted data. We planned to conduct statistical analysis using the Review Manager software and calculate summary statistics (relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI)) for primary outcomes.

MAIN RESULTS

Only one study from developing countries met the inclusion criteria and was included in the review. The study, a cluster randomised trial (10 clusters, n=849) compared VCT uptake between an optional location (including home-based) and a local clinic location in a population-based HIV survey. The study showed a higher uptake of VCT among participants in the optional-location group. Uptake was significantly greater in the optional-location group in those who were pre-test counselled only (RR=4.6; 95% CI 3.58 to 5.91); pretest counselled and tested (RR=4.6; 95% CI 3.51 to 5.92); and post-test counselled and received the test result (RR=4.8; 95% CI 3.62 to 6.21). This study, however, had significant methodological problems limiting further analysis and interpretation.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Although home-based HIV VCT has the potential to enhance VCT uptake in developing countries, insufficient data exist to recommend large-scale implementation of home-based HIV testing. Further studies are needed to determine if home-based VCT is better than facility-based VCT in improving VCT uptake.

WITHDRAWN: Home-based HIV voluntary counseling and testing in developing countries

BACKGROUND

The low uptake of HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), an effective HIV prevention intervention, has hindered global attempts to prevent new HIV infections, as well as limiting the scale-up of HIV care and treatment for the estimated 38 million infected persons. According to UNAIDS, only 10% of HIV-infected individuals worldwide are aware of their HIV status. At this point in the HIV epidemic, a renewed focus has shifted to prevention, and with it, a focus on methods to increase the uptake of HIV VCT. This review discusses home-based HIV VCT delivery models, which, given the low uptake of facility-based testing models, may be an effective avenue to get more patients on treatment and prevent new infections.

OBJECTIVES

(1) To identify and critically appraise studies addressing the implementation of home-based HIV voluntary counseling and testing in developing countries. (2) To determine whether home-based HIV voluntary counseling and testing (HBVCT) is associated with improvement in HIV testing outcomes compared to facility-based models.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched online for published and unpublished studies in MEDLINE (February 2007), EMBASE (February 2007), CENTRAL (February 2007). We also searched databases listing conference proceedings and abstracts; AIDSearch (February 2007), The Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2007), LILACS, CINAHL and Sociofile. We also contacted authors who have published on the subject of review.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized trials (e.g., cohort, pre/post-intervention and other observational studies) comparing home-based HIV VCT against other testing models.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We independently selected studies, assessed study quality and extracted data. We expressed findings as odds ratios (OR), and relative Risk (RR) together with their 95% confidence intervals (CI).

MAIN RESULTS

We identified one cluster-randomized trial and one pre/post-intervention (cohort) study, which were included in the review. An additional two ongoing RCTs were identified. All identified studies were conducted in developing countries. The two included studies comprised one cluster-randomized trial conducted in an urban area in Lusaka, Zambia and one pre/post-intervention (cohort) study, part of a rural community cohort in Southwestern Uganda. The two studies, while differing in methodology, found very high acceptability and uptake of VCT when testing and or results were offered at home, compared to the standard (facility-based testing and results). In the cluster-randomized trial (n=849), subjects randomized to an optional testing location (including home-based testing) were 4.6 times more likely to accept VCT than those in the facility arm (RR 4.6, 95% CI 3.6-6.2). Similarly, in the pre/post study (n=1868) offering participants the option of home delivery of results increased VCT uptake. In the intervention year (home delivery) participants were 5.23 times more likely to receive their results than during the year when results were available only at the facility. (OR 5.23 95% CI 4.02-6.8).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Home-based testing and/or delivery of HIV test results at home, rather than in clinics, appears to lead to higher uptake in testing. However, given the limited extant literature and the limitations in the included existing studies, there is not sufficient evidence to recommend large-scale implementation of the home-based testing model.

Home-based HIV voluntary counseling and testing in developing countries

BACKGROUND

The low uptake of HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), an effective HIV prevention intervention, has hindered global attempts to prevent new HIV infections, as well as limiting the scale-up of HIV care and treatment for the estimated 38 million infected persons. According to UNAIDS, only 10% of HIV-infected individuals worldwide are aware of their HIV status. At this point in the HIV epidemic, a renewed focus has shifted to prevention, and with it, a focus on methods to increase the uptake of HIV VCT. This review discusses home-based HIV VCT delivery models, which, given the low uptake of facility-based testing models, may be an effective avenue to get more patients on treatment and prevent new infections.

OBJECTIVES

(1) To identify and critically appraise studies addressing the implementation of home-based HIV voluntary counseling and testing in developing countries.(2) To determine whether home-based HIV voluntary counseling and testing (HBVCT) is associated with improvement in HIV testing outcomes compared to facility-based models.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched online for published and unpublished studies in MEDLINE (February 2007), EMBASE (February 2007), CENTRAL (February 2007). We also searched databases listing conference proceedings and abstracts; AIDSearch (February 2007), The Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2007), LILACS, CINAHL and Sociofile. We also contacted authors who have published on the subject of review.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized trials (e.g., cohort, pre/post-intervention and other observational studies) comparing home-based HIV VCT against other testing models.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We independently selected studies, assessed study quality and extracted data. We expressed findings as odds ratios (OR), and relative Risk (RR) together with their 95% confidence intervals (CI).

MAIN RESULTS

We identified one cluster-randomized trial and one pre/post-intervention (cohort) study, which were included in the review. An additional two ongoing RCTs were identified. All identified studies were conducted in developing countries. The two included studies comprised one cluster-randomized trial conducted in an urban area in Lusaka, Zambia and one pre/post-intervention (cohort) study, part of a rural community cohort in Southwestern Uganda. The two studies, while differing in methodology, found very high acceptability and uptake of VCT when testing and or results were offered at home, compared to the standard (facility-based testing and results). In the cluster-randomized trial (n=849), subjects randomized to an optional testing location (including home-based testing) were 4.6 times more likely to accept VCT than those in the facility arm (RR 4.6, 95% CI 3.6-6.2). Similarly, in the pre/post study (n=1868) offering participants the option of home delivery of results increased VCT uptake. In the intervention year (home delivery) participants were 5.23 times more likely to receive their results than during the year when results were available only at the facility. (OR 5.23 95% CI 4.02-6.8).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Home-based testing and/or delivery of HIV test results at home, rather than in clinics, appears to lead to higher uptake in testing. However, given the limited extant literature and the limitations in the included existing studies, there is not sufficient evidence to recommend large-scale implementation of the home-based testing model.

Antenatal HIV screening in Europe: a review of policies

BACKGROUND

The increased prevalence of HIV infection in women is leading to a rising number of children born to HIV-infected mothers. As therapeutic possibilities for HIV/AIDS increase, the detection of undiagnosed HIV infections in pregnant women, followed by adequate management, is of crucial interest. Therapeutic protocols are being updated and increasingly applied in most European countries, but there is no structured information on policies and strategies with regard to antenatal HIV screening as such.

METHODS

In order to identify national policies with regard to antenatal HIV screening, a structured questionnaire was sent to key-informants within the ministries of health and national institutes for public health in each of the 25 EU Member States.

RESULTS

Information was obtained from all EU Member States with the exception of Cyprus and Luxembourg. Eighteen countries issued a national policy with regard to antenatal HIV screening, 16 opted for a system in which HIV testing is offered to all women attending antenatal services while only two opted for selective screening. None of the 18 countries with a national policy supports a mandatory screening strategy. The voluntary testing strategies are of two types: opting in versus opting out. In almost all EU countries with antenatal HIV screening policies, screening conditions are defined.

CONCLUSION

Policies are in place in most EU countries. Nevertheless, there is a need for more integrated European policies and region-specific recommendations on the performance of antenatal HIV screening as an opportunity for comprehensive HIV/AIDS service delivery. This would enable the different aspects of prevention to be linked and also address both the needs of pregnant women and mothers as well as that of their infants.

SHOULD RAPID TESTS FOR HIV INFECTION NOW BE MANDATORY DURING PREGNANCY? GLOBAL DIFFERENCES IN SCARCITY AND A DILEMMA OF TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCE

Since testing for HIV infection became possible in 1985, testing of pregnant women has been conducted primarily on a voluntary, 'opt-in' basis. Faden, Geller and Powers, Bayer, Wilfert, and McKenna, among others, have suggested that with the development of more reliable testing and more effective therapy to reduce maternal-fetal transmission, testing should become either routine with 'opt-out' provisions or mandatory. We ask, in the light of the new rapid tests for HIV, such as OraQuick, and the development of antiretroviral treatment that can reduce maternal-fetal transmission rates to <2%, whether that time is now. Illustrating our argument with cases from the United States (US), Kenya, Peru, and an undocumented Mexican worker in the US, we show that when testing is accompanied by assured multi-drug therapy for the mother, the argument for opt-out or mandatory testing for HIV in pregnancy is strong, but that it is problematic where testing is accompanied by adverse events such as spousal abuse or by inadequate intrapartum or follow-up treatment. The difference is not a 'double standard', but reflects the presence of conflicts between the health interests of the mother and the fetus--conflicts that would be abrogated by the assurance of adequate, continuing multi-drug therapy. In light of these conflicts, where they still occur, careful processes of informed consent are appropriate, rather than opt-out or mandatory testing.

Rethinking mandatory HIV testing during pregnancy in areas with high HIV prevalence rates: ethical and policy issues

We analyzed the ethical and policy issues surrounding mandatory HIV testing of pregnant women in areas with high HIV prevalence rates. Through this analysis, we seek to demonstrate that a mandatory approach to testing and treatment has the potential to significantly reduce perinatal transmission of HIV and defend the view that mandatory testing is morally required if a number of conditions can be met. If such programs are to be introduced, continuing medical care, including highly active antiretroviral therapy, must be provided and pregnant women must have reasonable alternatives to compulsory testing and treatment. We propose that a liberal regime entailing abortion rights up to the point of fetal viability would satisfy these requirements. Pilot studies in the high-prevalence region of southern African countries should investigate the feasibility of this approach.

Agreement of decision analyses and subsequent clinical studies in infectious diseases

PURPOSE

Decision analysis techniques can compare management strategies when there are insufficient data from clinical studies to guide decision making. We compared the outcomes of decision analyses and subsequent clinical studies in the infectious disease literature to assess the validity of the conclusions of the decision analyses.

METHODS

A search strategy to identify decision analyses in infectious disease topics published from 1990 to 2005 was developed and performed using PubMed. Abstracts of all identified articles were reviewed, and infectious disease-related decision analyses were retained. Subsequent clinical trials and observational studies that corresponded to these decision analyses were identified using prespecified search strategies. Clinical studies were considered a match for the decision analysis if they assessed the same patient population, intervention, and outcome. Agreement or disagreement between the conclusions of the decision analysis and clinical study were determined by author review.

RESULTS

The initial PubMed search yielded 318 references. Forty decision analyses pertaining to 29 infectious disease topics were identified. Of the 40, 16 (40%) from 13 infectious disease topics had matching clinical studies. In 12 of 16 (75%), conclusions of at least 1 clinical study agreed with those of the decision analysis. Three of the 4 decision analyses in which conclusions disagreed were from the same topic (management of febrile children).

CONCLUSIONS

There was substantial agreement between the conclusions of decision analyses and clinical studies in infectious diseases, supporting the validity of decision analysis and its utility in guiding management decisions.

HIV Screening in Pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this guideline is to provide recommendations to obstetric health care providers and to minimize practice variations for HIV screening, while taking provincial and territorial recommendations into account.

OUTCOMES

The risk of transmission of HIV from mother to fetus is significant if the mother is not treated. The primary outcome of screening for and treating HIV in pregnancy is a marked decrease in the rate of vertical transmission of HIV from mother to fetus. Secondary outcomes include confirmation of HIV infection in the woman, which allows optimization of her health and long-term management.

EVIDENCE

The Cochrane Library and Medline were searched for English-language articles published related to HIV screening and pregnancy. Additional articles were identified through the references of these articles. All study types were reviewed.

Factors associated with declining HIV testing and failure to return for results among pregnant women in Vietnam

In a cross-sectional study, 53.2% of 500 antenatal attendees at Hai-Phong Hospital accepted HIV testing and 55.3% returned for results. Factors associated with declining included opinions about providing testing or that only high-risk pregnant women need testing, intention to decline testing, being a housewife, perception of poor healthcare support, and worry about husband's disapproval. Low educational level was associated with not returning for results. Testing programmes need to address husbands' attitudes, low education levels, and perceptions of risk.

Voluntary HIV counseling and testing during prenatal care in Brazil

OBJECTIVE: Voluntary HIV counseling and testing are provided to all Brazilian pregnant women with the purpose of reducing mother-to-child HIV transmission. The purpose of the study was to assess characteristics of HIV testing and identify factors associated with HIV counseling and testing. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out comprising 1,658 mothers living in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Biological, reproductive and social variables were obtained from mothers by means of a standardized questionnaire. Being counseling about HIV testing was the dependent variable. Confidence intervals, chi-square test and hierarchical logistic model were used to determine the association between counseling and maternal variables. RESULTS: Of 1,658 mothers interviewed, 1,603 or 96.7% (95% CI: 95.7-97.5) underwent HIV testing, and 51 or 3.1% (95% CI: 2.3-4.0) were not tested. Four (0.2%) refused to undergo testing after counseling. Of 51 women not tested in this study, 30 had undergone the testing previously. Of 1,603 women tested, 630 or 39.3% (95% CI: 36.9-41.7) received counseling, 947 or 59.2% (95% CI: 56.6-61.5) did not, and 26 (1.6%) did not inform. Low income, lack of prenatal care, late beginning of prenatal care, use of rapid testing, and receiving prenatal in the public sector were variables independently associated with a lower probability of getting counseling about HIV testing. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings confirmed the high rate of prenatal HIV testing in Porto Alegre. However, women coming from less privileged social groups were less likely to receive information and benefit from counseling.

Serological testing for herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 and HSV-2 infection

Serological tests for herpes simplex virus (HSV) that can accurately distinguish between HSV-1 and HSV-2 are now commercially available. These tests detect antibodies to HSV glycoproteins G-1 and G-2, which evoke a type-specific antibody response. Focus Technologies produces the HerpeSelect-1 and HerpeSelect-2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests and the HSV-1 and HSV-2 HerpeSelect1/2 Immunoblot. Diagnology has marketed POCkit-HSV-2, a point-of-care test for HSV-2 that allows blood from a finger stick to be tested in a clinic. These tests can be used to confirm a genital herpes diagnosis, establish diagnosis of HSV infection in patients with atypical complaints, identify asymptomatic carriers, and identify persons at risk for acquiring HSV. Potential settings for use of these tests include sexually transmitted disease clinics, prenatal clinics, and clinics that care for patients with human immunodeficiency virus. Patient interest in HSV serological tests appears high.

Voluntary counseling, testing, and referral for HIV: new technologies, research findings create dynamic opportunities

Programs for voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) for HIV play an increasingly important role in comprehensive prevention and care strategies. New technological advancements and behavioral interventions can improve the effectiveness of VCT as a tool for preventing new HIV infections and helping HIV-positive individuals access appropriate care. With growing consensus that early access to HIV therapy increases its effectiveness, and that individuals diagnosed with HIV reduce risk behavior, VCT has become integral to the continuum of HIV primary care. However, federal funding of VCT has declined, with concomitant decreases in numbers of people being tested. An estimated 200,000 people in the United States remain unaware that they are HIV positive, and many at-risk individuals do not seek out standard HIV counseling and testing services. To increase the acceptability and effectiveness of VCT, the authors recommend that VCT programs employ outreach programs offering anonymous testing to reach those at heightened risk of HIV infection, and to make rapid use of new technologies and counseling strategies to improve the reach and efficacy. Given the important role that VCT can play in both prevention and early treatment, the authors recommend significant increases in federal support.

Economic issues in the prevention of vertical transmission of HIV

In the absence of interventions, 20% of infants born to women infected with HIV acquire infection from their mother at or before delivery. A further 15% are infected through breast feeding. Prenatal testing for HIV allows infected women to be reliably identified so that they can receive antiretroviral therapy and, in countries with safe water supplies, be advised not to breast feed. These and other interventions can reduce the risk of transmission to 5% or less. Economic evaluations of prenatal testing for HIV are reviewed and compared in this article, and future research priorities outlined. These studies set the costs of testing and intervention against the averted lifetime costs of paediatric infection, and generate estimates of the HIV prevalence threshold above which there would be a net cost saving, or calculate the cost per life-year saved given a particular prevalence. In the developed world, prenatal testing has been adopted in many countries, and recent economic analyses broadly support this. Future research is likely to focus on the incremental benefits of different antiretroviral regimens in lowering transmission rates still further, with or without elective caesarean section, and the possibility that some may lead to adverse effects in uninfected infants exposed to them in utero. Some earlier assessments in resource-poor settings concluded that prenatal testing was unaffordable or of doubtful cost effectiveness. This negative conclusion appears to be the result of very low estimates of the lifetime costs of paediatric HIV infection, together with developed world conceptions of pre-test counselling. The demonstration that nevirapine reduces transmission risk at a low cost has transformed the outlook, and there is hope that antiretrovirals can act prophylactically to prevent infection of the breast-fed child. However, to achieve a sustained reduction in vertical transmission there may be a need to evaluate the need for a strengthened infrastructure to deliver prenatal HIV testing and treatment, as well as programmes to reduce HIV incidence in adults.

Knowledge of treatment to reduce perinatal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission and likelihood of testing for HIV: results from two surveys of women of childbearing age

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether knowledge of zidovudine treatment to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV increases the likelihood of HIV testing among women of childbearing age at increased risk for HIV infection.

METHOD

Data from two samples were analyzed. The Young Women Survey was a population-based, door-to-door survey of 2,545 women aged 18 to 29 years who were living in lower-income neighborhoods. For the Perinatal Survey, women receiving prenatal care or who had delivered within the previous six months (N = 850) were recruited at randomly selected sites. Most (71.2%) of these participants were covered by public payment sources for their prenatal care. Data were collected within California counties with high rates of HIV among newborns, high rates of HIV among female clients of alternative test sites, and high rates of AIDS among female injection drug users. Most participants from both surveys were women of color.

RESULTS

Participants who knew about zidovudine therapy for HIV-positive pregnant women were more likely to have had an HIV test, regardless of race/ethnicity, age, education, or number of previous births. The majority of women (79.3%) from both samples stated that they were more likely to take a test for HIV knowing about zidovudine treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

HIV educators should include information on zidovudine therapy in campaigns designed to promote HIV testing among women. Prenatal care providers should incorporate a brief discussion about the benefits of zidovudine treatment when providing HIV counseling to patients.