Vol. 471 No. 2
102 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the number of pregnant women who were found to be HIV positive in the unlinked antenatal blood testing study which was conducted by his Department in a number of centres throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20640/96]
Limerick East): I have received the report on the results of the first three years of the HIV anonymous, unlinked, ante-natal screening programme. Out of a total of 160,679 tests 25 were confirmed HIV positive. This gives a rate of 0.016 per cent, confirming a lower prevalence in this population group than in other European countries.
The report was prepared by the HIV Surveillance Sub-Committee of the National AIDS Strategy Committee. The programme was conducted over a three year period from October 1992 to December 1995, in all major maternity hospitals.
My Department has circulated the report to health boards and hospitals and laboratories involved in the programme.
