title: High syphilis but low HIV prevalence rates among pregnant women in New Caledonia.
abstract: Sexually transmitted infections have been described as one of the major health problems in several countries of the Pacific Region. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of pregnant women infected with HIV and/or syphilis in New Caledonia. HIV and syphilis test results were obtained from women attending antenatal clinics. From 2008 to 2011, 3353 pregnant women were tested with a mean prevalence of active syphilis found at 5.6/100,000. No pregnant women tested positive for HIV. Despite available resources and public health strategies similar to those existing in France, active syphilis prevalence is high in New Caledonia. Surprisingly, HIV seroprevalence remains far below the figures reported in mainland countries. However, social and economic changes as well as the looming referendum on independence scheduled in 2014 may have a potential negative impact on public health resources. The need for action to control syphilis and other curable sexually transmitted infections is pressing in order to prevent further spread of HIV in New Caledonia.
authors: Centre Hospitalier Territorial, Noumea, New Caledonia.
authors: Gilles
authors: G
authors: Guerrier
authors: Ann-Claire
authors: AC
authors: Gourinat
authors: Tania
authors: T
authors: Ikowsky
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Camus
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Lehmann
authors: Françoise
authors: F
authors: Droetto
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D009510:New Caledonia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013587:Syphilis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis; D014210:Treponema pallidum / Q000276:immunology*
keywords: HIV; New Caledonia; Syphilis; pregnancy; seroprevalence; women