Sero-prevalence of HIV antibodies in pregnant women in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to determine the Sero-Prevalence of HIV antibodies in pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt.


METHODS
Serial recruitment of 600 women who attended the antenatal clinic. HIV screening was done by rapid ELISA technique. Positive samples were re-tested with a second rapid ELISA kit, with only samples sero-positive with both kits being taken as trulysero-positive.


RESULTS
The sero-positivity rate was 7.3%, sixty-nine point seven percent (69.7%) of all sero-positive cases were primiparae, with 84% in advanced stages of pregnancy (2nd and 31rd trimesters). History of blood transfusion, dental manipulations, tattooing and circumcision did not contribute significantly to increased HIV sero-positivity.


CONCLUSIONS
There is high HIV sero-positivity rate among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in Port Harcourt. The implications of this finding in relation to vertical transmission, transmission of nosocomial infection and increased occupational exposure of laboratory and hospital staff to HIV infection is discussed. Compulsory routine screening of all pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Sub-Saharan Africa is advocated.
Akani
C I
CI
Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Ojule
A C
AC
Opurum
H C
HC
John
C T
CT
D000328:Adult; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D015483:HIV Antibodies