1. Screening women of childbearing age for human immunodeficiency virus. A cost-benefit analysis
- Author
-
M L, Brandeau, D K, Owens, C H, Sox, and R M, Wachter
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ,Adolescent ,Voluntary Programs ,Cost-Benefit Analysis ,Infant, Newborn ,AIDS Serodiagnosis ,California ,Sexual Partners ,Risk Factors ,HIV Seropositivity ,Costs and Cost Analysis ,Humans ,Mass Screening ,Female ,Pregnant Women ,Substance Abuse, Intravenous ,Models, Econometric - Abstract
In light of the increasing problem of perinatal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission, the issue of screening women for HIV is receiving considerable attention. We analyzed the costs and benefits of screening women of childbearing age for HIV. The analysis was based on a dynamic model of the HIV epidemic that incorporated disease transmission and progression, behavioral changes, and effects of screening and counseling. We found that the primary benefit of screening programs targeted to women of childbearing age lies not in the prevention of HIV infection in their newborns but in the prevention of infection in their adult contacts. Because of this benefit, screening medium- and high-risk women is likely to be cost-beneficial over a wide range of assumptions about program cost and behavioral changes in response to screening.
- Published
- 1992