Tso H, Ho KM, Lau YL, Fan S, Lee SS; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12; 14: abstract no. F11952.
HK Advisory Council on AIDS, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
ISSUES: Hong Kong is a low prevalence area for HIV and AIDS wherein both the community and health care profession may not recognise the pressing need of early HIV prevention. DESCRIPTION: Spearheaded by the Government-appointed Advisory Council on AIDS (ACA), programmes on the prevention of MTCT was advocated in 1995. The initial strategy was to focus on capacity building and the promotion of awareness of staff in antenatal services. Selective HIV antibody testing according to identifiable risk factors was adopted but had not been met with much success. In 1999, the Scientific Committee of the ACA (SCA) examined the need for a more effective strategy via a multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral approach. At the beginning of policy formulation, stakeholders were invited to join a Working Group under the aegis of SCA. This process had involved local professional bodies, service providers, HIV physicians, public health officers and academia. After situation analysis, review of international initiatives, debates and consultation, the Group recommended a universal antenatal HIV antibody testing system using an opt-out approach. Integration of this strategy with the existing health care system was advised. The conclusion was conveyed to the Government, which included the strategy in the Annual Policy Address in October 2001. LESSONS LEARNED: Effective programme development should be evidence-based, participatory, community-spirited and integrative in the existing health care infrastructures. RECOMMENDATION: A systematic approach involving different sectors and disciplines is desirable in the development of policy on a health issue, and HIV is no exception.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Child
- Disease Transmission, Vertical
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Hong Kong
- Humans
- Mothers
- Policy Making
- Risk Factors
- methods
- therapy
- transmission
Other ID:
UI: 102252094
From Meeting Abstracts