HIV-1 infection among women of reproductive age in a rural district in Malawi.
OBJECTIVE
To determine HIV-1 seroprevalence in pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in a rural district in Malawi, and to estimate the rate of HIV-1 infection in the district among women of reproductive age.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey conducted from 1987 to 1990 of women enrolled at antenatal clinics at four sites (two towns and two villages).


METHODS
Questionnaires were administered and sera screened at delivery. Population infection estimates were based on national census and survey data.


RESULTS
Of 3953 pregnant women tested, 283 (7.2%) were HIV-1-seropositive. Women enrolled at town sites were significantly more likely to be HIV-1-infected than village women (11.3 versus 3.9%; P < 0.001). Higher infection rates were associated with age 20-29 years, first or second pregnancy, increased education or socioeconomic status, and living within 8 km of the clinic. It was estimated that over 7300 women of reproductive age were HIV-1-infected in this rural district.


CONCLUSIONS
Seroprevalence rates in pregnant women in rural towns were intermediate between rates in villages and previously documented rates in cities in Malawi. Although village sites had lower seroprevalence rates, they accounted for over half the estimated HIV-1 infection in childbearing women in this district.
Slutsker
L
L
Division of Parasitic Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333.
Cabeza
J
J
Wirima
J J
JJ
Steketee
R W
RW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D008295:Malawi / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology; D012424:Rural Population