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AJPH First Look, published online ahead of print May 30, 2007
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American Journal of Public Health, 10.2105/AJPH.2006.093526

Analytic Essay Forum

Rethinking Mandatory HIV Testing During Pregnancy in High HIV-prevalence Regions: Ethical and Policy Issues

Udo Schuklenk 1* Anita Kleinsmidt 2

1 glasgow caledonian university ethics centre
2 university of the witwatersrand bioethics division

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: udo.schuklenk{at}gmail.com.


  Abstract

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 should investigate the feasibility of this approach.

Key Words: Epidemiology, Ethics, Health Policy, HIV/AIDS, Pregnancy, Women's Health




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Am. J. Public HealthHome page
A. K. Groves, M. W. Pierce, and S. Maman
QUESTIONING MANDATORY HIV TESTING DURING PREGNANCY
Am J Public Health, February 1, 2008; 98(2): 196 - 197.
[Full Text] [PDF]


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