Annotation:
This report discusses whether rapid HIV screening tests should be used by health care professionals. The authors maintain that rapid testing on pregnant women who are unaware of their HIV status at the time of labour, should be delayed until there is further research. They argue that while rapid testing would allow mothers to take preventative measures to reduce mother to child transmission during birth, it also raises concerns of higher chances of 0 positives, inadequate counselling, screening without the mother's consent, and lower protection of confidentiality. The authors highlight concerns that women's rights may be neglected in the rush to prevent transmission, especially when being in labour may complicate informed consent and women may be pressured into testing. [Descriptors: Reproductive Rights - HIV/AIDS, Canada]