Seroprevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus, and syphilis in women at their first visit to public antenatal clinics in Vitória, Brazil.
BACKGROUND
In some countries, HIV infection in pregnancy has become a common complication of pregnancy.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the seroprevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus, and syphilis among pregnant women, and to assess risk factors for these infections.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was performed.


METHODS
Pregnant women attending antenatal clinics of Vitória Municipality from March to December 1999 were included in this study after giving written informed consent. The women were systematically interviewed. During the interview, their demographics and patterns of risk behavior were explored. A blood sample was collected for testing HIV, hepatitis B virus, and syphilis.


RESULTS
The participants in this study were 1608 pregnant women. The prevalence of HIV infection was 0.8% (95% CI, 0.4-1.2), hepatitis B virus carriers 1.1% (95% CI, 0.8-1.3), and syphilis 3% (95% CI, 2.6-3.5). The potential risk behaviors were found to be a history of STDs (6.5%), condoms never used (52.8%), prostitution (0.5%), noninjection drug use (6.3%), blood transfusion (1.5%), and intravenous drug abuse (0.7%).


CONCLUSIONS
These results show the necessity of implementing programs aimed at preventing transmission of these infections in women and their children.
Miranda
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Centro de Referência para DST/AIDS, Vitória, Brazil. espinosa.gaz@terra.com.br
Alves
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MC
Neto
R L
RL
Areal
K R
KR
Gerbase
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AC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012309:Risk-Taking; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D013587:Syphilis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016387:Women's Health