Vol. 469 No. 2
84 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Health the number of pregnant women found to be HIV positive in the unlinked ante-natal blood testing study which was conducted by his Department in a number of centres around the country; when he plans to publish the completed results; the centres which were involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17134/96]
Limerick East): I have received the report on the preliminary results of a HIV anonymous unlinked ante-natal screening programme. 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.
Out of a total of 160,679 tests, 25 were confirmed HIV positive, giving a rate of 0.016 per cent, confirming a lower prevalence in this population group than in other European countries.
My Department will be circulating the report to health boards and hospitals and laboratories involved in the coming weeks.
