title: [Seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection in Guinea-Bissau, west Africa].
abstract: The seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa, was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). From January 1987 to February 1993, 590 patients from the outpatient and inpatient departments of Regional Hospital at Canchungo, Cacheu, Guinea-Bissau were studied. The overall seropositive rate was 16%. Patients in the age between 25 and 54 accounted for 78% of HIV-positive cases. The seropositive rate according to the diagnosis was: 6% in pregnant women, 40% in patients with gonorrhea/syphilis, 14% in patients with vaginitis and 22% in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis. The seropositivity for HIV-1/2 in the pregnant women might reflect the seroprevalence in general population of Guinea-Bissau. Accordingly, the estimated population infected by HIV would be sixty thousands in Guinea-Bissau. Both sexually-transmitted diseases and tuberculosis were the risk factors for HIV infection. This study shows that HIV infection is a critical problem of public health in Guinea-Bissau. Strategies to prevent the seeding of HIV are of great importance. Moreover, the members of medical mission from our country must keep alert for preventing HIV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: F Y
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Shaio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006169:Guinea-Bissau / Q000453:epidemiology; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy