Background: Various institutions (CDC, ACOG, AAP) recommend all pregnant women be tested for hepatitis B, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV. These infections can affect the health of the women, as well as the newborn. Serious health complications for the newborn include chronic liver disease, congenital syphilis and HIV. Objective: Assess prenatal screening rates in all of Maine’s 32 birthing hospitals. Methods: The Lot Quality Assurance model developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was followed. Sixty-five records of women who gave birth from January 1 to June 30, 1999 were reviewed at each hospital. Hospitals were scored as above or below a rating of 85 (minimum passing score) for prenatal screening of hepatitis B, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. Information gathered for HIV screening rates included documentation of counseling, declination and testing. Results: Fifty percent of reviewed hospitals rated 85 or higher for hepatitis B screening; 47% for syphilis; 9% for chlamydia and 3% for gonorrhea. HIV testing ranged from 0 to 86%. Conclusions: Prenatal STD screening rates in the state of Maine range from fair to poor. Future interventions targeting prenatal care providers are necessary to better screen pregnant women in the state of Maine for STDs. Implications for other state health departments will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: Recognize the importance of assessing prenatal screening rates.
Keywords: Screening, STD
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.