Cost-Effectiveness of HIV Screening During Pregnancy
Author Information
Author(s): Udeh Belinda, Udeh Chiedozie, Graves Nicholas
Primary Institution: Public Policy Center, University of Iowa
Hypothesis
What are the cost-effectiveness and health benefits of different HIV screening strategies for pregnant women in the U.S. Virgin Islands?
Conclusion
Universal screening by 14 weeks gestation and screening the infant after birth is the most cost-effective strategy, saving over $1 million and generating 310 life years.
Supporting Evidence
- All strategies produced health benefits and cost savings.
- Universal screening by 14 weeks gestation is recommended.
- The study suggests that not implementing universal screening is unethical.
Takeaway
Testing pregnant women for HIV early and again at birth can save lives and money. It's like checking if a plant needs water before it wilts and then again when it blooms.
Methodology
An economic model evaluated nine combinations of perinatal HIV screening strategies compared to existing practices.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in acceptance of testing based on specimen type and socioeconomic factors.
Limitations
Limited research on screening acceptance based on race and economic status; benefits of screening after 14 weeks were not addressed.
Participant Demographics
Population of around 110,000 with less than 70% receiving antenatal care in the first trimester.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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