Routine Voluntary Antenatal Anti‐HIV Screening in Bangkok, Thailand

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Perusal of the references quoted in this communication show how the scientists in Thailand have responded to the increasing prevalence of HIV‐seropositivity in their community. Routine testing of 24,856 antenatal women detected 91 (036%) to be seropositive, anda further8 (0.03%) were found to have seroconverted when retested at 28‐32 weeks' gestation. We accepted this paper for publication to stimulate local enquiry throughout Australia as to whether or not we need to set up population audits, done anonymously, for establishment of prevalence without the possibility of patient care. We consider that this is necessary in major centres on a regular basis. As the authors note it would be difficult for others to emulate their 100% rate of informed consent for routine voluntary screening. Although the point is made that the infants of those mothers who seroconverted during pregnancy are at greatest risk of perinatal transmission, we cannot see the need for double testing for patient care in the Australian community ‐ hopefully this comment, which has been passed by our infectious diseases consultant, is correct and will stand for many years.