Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody among apparently healthy pregnant women in Nigeria.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in pregnancy in our community.


METHODS
A prospective study on 250 pregnant women currently attending the antenatal clinic at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital was carried out in 1991.


RESULTS
Results obtained showed that of the 250 pregnant women screened only two (0.8%) were seropositive for HIV. This indicates the risk of vertical or materno-fetal HIV transmission in our community and underscores the need for urgency for prospective monitoring of infants born to HIV seropositive women.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the prevalence rate of HIV seropositivity amongst the otherwise healthy Nigerian pregnant women is only 0.8%, we advocate universal screening of HIV during pregnancy.
Nnatu
S N
SN
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Nigeria.
Anyiwo
C E
CE
Obi
C L
CL
Karpas
A
A
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors