title: Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (HIV, Hepatitis B, Herpes Simplex Type 2 and Syphilis) Among Asymptomatic Pregnant Women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the current prevalence of four major sexually transmitted infections (STIs: HIV, Hepatitis B, Herpes simplex virus 2, and Syphilis) in asymptomatic pregnant women.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a prospective study of 500 consecutive, apparently healthy asymptomatic pregnant women who were attending the antenatal clinic. The information regarding their socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics and obstetric performance was recorded. The blood samples was collected after obtaining their informed written consent from those who were tested for the HIV antibodies (NACO guidelines), HBsAg (ELISA test), HSV2-IgM (ELISA test), and Syphilis (VDRL and TPHA tests).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of one or the other four STIs studied was 4.8 % with the highest prevalence of HBV (2.4 %), followed by HSV-2 (2 %), and HIV (0.4 %). No woman tested positive for syphilis and multiple infections. All the infections were more common in illiterate, multigravida, monogamous women of low socio-economic status. High-risk sexual behavior of the husbands, history of STIs in husbands, and blood transfusions were the other factors associated with the prevalence of these infections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The relatively high prevalence of HBV and HSV-2 infections in asymptomatic pregnant women suggests that there is need of screening for HBV and HSV-2 infections along with the pre-existing screening for HIV and Syphilis and universal immunization of HBV high-risk infants.
authors.affiliation: Government Medical College Amritsar (Pb), 113-Race Course Road, Amritsar, 143001 Punjab India.
authors.forename: Neerja
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jindal
authors.forename: Usha
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Arora
authors.forename: Sukhwinder
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Bimla
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Devi
keywords: Asymptomatic pregnant women; HBV; HIV; HSV-2; Syphilis
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