Rapid HIV testing has recently received attention as it is easier to perform and non laboratory health care staff can be trained to carry it out, making scaling-up of HIV testing more feasible in resource-limited settings. Rapid test results can be ready in less than 30 minutes, enabling prophylactic intervention in pregnant women who test positive at delivery care. Test sensitivity and specificity are very However these tests may yield false high. positive results in screening, particularly in areas where the overall HIV seroprevalence among women is very low. Special attention should thus be given to providing adequate pre- test counselling, obtaining informed consent and ensuring confidentiality of result Women must be advised that confirmatory serologic evidence of HIV infection is required and should be carried out as part of post-partum care