title: Haematological characteristics and HIV status of pregnant women in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, 1995-96.
abstract: To describe the haematological profile of pregnant women and to compare these characteristics according to HIV serostatus in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, a cross-sectional study was made in the context of a research intervention programme to reduce mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV (ANRS 049 trial). HIV testing was systematically proposed to pregnant women attending the mother and child health clinic of a community health centre. Blood samples were tested for HIV antibodies using Genelavia and Peptilav. The haematological parameters were measured with a Coulter counter. From May 1995 to March 1996, 1646 pregnant women accepted HIV testing and had a full blood count available. The prevalence of HIV infection was 12.0% (n = 197). The prevalence of anaemia (haemoglobin [Hb] < 11 g/dL) was 70.1%, n = 1155 (95% confidence interval 68-72%) and significantly higher in HIV+ (81.7%, n = 161) than in HIV- women (68.9%, n = 994) (P < 0.001). Severe anaemia (Hb < 7 g/dL) was present in 1.9% of the women (n = 31), 4.6% (n = 9) in HIV+ and 1.5% (n = 22) in HIV- women (P < 0.001). HIV infection, primigravidae and secundigravidae were factors independently associated with anaemia. Anaemia was highly prevalent in this population while severe anaemia was rare. HIV infection was a contributor to anaemia in pregnancy. As zidovudine, with its known haematological toxicity, has recently been introduced to prevent MTCT of HIV in developing countries, screening HIV+ women for severe anaemia is necessary.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'Hématologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Yopougon, Abidjan, France.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ramon
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sawadogo
authors.forename: F S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Koko
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Noba
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Likikouët
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gourvellec
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Viho
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mandelbrot
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dabis
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Ekra
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Msellati
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D007560:Cote d'Ivoire / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors