Seroprevalence of HIV infection in childbearing women in Nova Scotia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of HIV-1 infection in childbearing women in Nova Scotia.


METHODS
An anonymous, unlinked seroprevalence study using "leftover" cord bloods. The study was done in 2 stages: I-Halifax Co. women delivering between February 1, 1992 and December 31, 1993; II-non-Halifax Co. women delivering between November 15, 1993 and December 15, 1994.


RESULTS
Of 9,115 deliveries during stage I and 5,515 during stage II, specimens were tested from 8,864 (97.2%) and 5,219 (95%) respectively. Halifax Co. women were older, more often married and more often reported a STD than the non-Halifax Co. participants with 20% under age 20 reporting a history of STD. There was one EIA and WB positive result among Halifax Co. women (seroprevalence 1/10,000; 95% CI 0.03-6.29) and one EIA positive, WB indeterminant result among non-Halifax Co. women (seroprevalence 0/10,000; 95% CI 0-5.7).


CONCLUSIONS
There is a low prevalence of HIV infection among Nova Scotia childbearing women. However, a substantial number, especially those < age 20, reported a history of STD.
Johnston
B L
BL
Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Haase
D A
DA
Armson
B A
BA
Lee
S H
SH
Manley
K
K
Hazell
P
P
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009674:Nova Scotia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology*
D015483:HIV Antibodies