Seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection in pregnancy in a tertiary care hospital.
BACKGROUND
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) /Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is increasing at an alarming rate globally. It has now become a major challenge & threat to public health. HIV infection in women occur primarily during their reproductive years, hence pregnancy provides a unique opportunity for implementing prevention strategies against HIV infection. If we estimate seroprevalence in pregnancy, the effective & timely intervention will reduce the transmission of infection to newborns.


OBJECTIVE
To study the seroprevalence of HIV infection in pregnancy in a tertiary care hospital.


METHODS
Antenatal Care Clinic of a Tertiary Care Hospital.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Blood samples of all the pregnant women with written consent were collected and tested for HIV antibodies as per National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) guidelines over a period from September 2002 to August 2004. However only those who were HIV sero-reactive were included in this study. Spouses of sero-reactive pregnant women were also counselled and tested. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test.


RESULTS
Out of the total 10683 blood samples from pregnant women tested, 147 (1.38%) were found to be HIV sero-reactive. Sero-reactive cases when compiled year-wise, showed increase in the seroprevalence from 1.24% in September 2002 -- August 2003 to 1.45% in September 2003 -- August 2004. Majority 69 (46.94%) sero-reactive pregnant women were in the age group of 19--24 years followed by 25--29 years age group (31.29%). Out of 88 spouses of HIV sero-reactive pregnant women, 85 (96.59%) were found to be HIV sero-reactive.


CONCLUSIONS
In the present study, seroprevalence of HIV infection was found to be 1.38% amongst pregnant women.
Ukey
Pawan M
PM
Dept. of Microbiology, Govt. Medical College, Nagpur-03, India. pawan_ukey@rediffmail.com
Akulwar
Suresh L
SL
Powar
Rajaram M
RM
D000328:Adult; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology*; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence / Q000639:trends*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D015483:HIV Antibodies