title: Incidence of HIV and the prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis among youths in Maputo, Mozambique: a cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prevalence of HIV in Mozambique among individuals aged 15-49 years is 11.5%. The HIV prevalence is higher in women than in men across the country, peaking at ages 25-29 years and 35-39 years, respectively. In this study, we aimed at determining the prevalence and incidence of HIV, prevalence of Hepatitis B (HBV), and prevalence of syphilis in youths. We also characterized a cohort of youths for future participation in phase I/II HIV vaccine trials.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted at a youth clinic in Maputo Central Hospital from August 2009 to October 2011. Youths of both genders aged 18-24 years (n = 1380) were screened for HIV using a sequential algorithm of two immunochromatographic assays, HBV using an enzyme linked immunosorbant test, and syphilis using a treponemal immunochromatographic strip test. The HIV seronegative participants (n = 1309) were followed-up for 12 months with quarterly study visits. The clinical and behavioral data were collected using structured questionnaires. The HIV seroconversions were confirmed by a molecular assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study population was female dominant (76.8%). All participants had a formal education, with 44.6% studying for technical or higher education degrees. The mean age at sexual debut was 16.6 years (SD: ± 1.74), with 85.6% reporting more than one sexual partner in life. The screening showed the prevalence of HIV, HBV, and syphilis at 5.1% (95% CI: 3.97-6.31), 12.2% (95% CI 10.5%-14.0%), and 0.36% (95% CI 0.15%-0.84%), respectively. The HIV incidence rate was found to be 1.14/100 person years (95% CI: 0.67-1.92). Retention rates were stable throughout the study being 85.1% at the last visit.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Incidence of HIV in this cohort of youths in Maputo was relatively low. Also, the prevalence of HIV and syphilis was lower than the national values in this age group. However, the HBV prevalence was higher than in previous reports in the country.
authors: Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden; Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique.
authors: Edna Omar
authors: EO
authors: Viegas
authors: Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden; Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique.
authors: Nelson
authors: N
authors: Tembe
authors: Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique; Hospital Central de Maputo, Maputo, Mozambique.
authors: Eulália
authors: E
authors: Macovela
authors: Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique; Hospital Central de Maputo, Maputo, Mozambique.
authors: Emília
authors: E
authors: Gonçalves
authors: Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique.
authors: Orvalho
authors: O
authors: Augusto
authors: Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique.
authors: Nália
authors: N
authors: Ismael
authors: Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique.
authors: Nádia
authors: N
authors: Sitoe
authors: Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Maputo, Mozambique.
authors: Caroline
authors: C
authors: De Schacht
authors: Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique.
authors: Nilesh
authors: N
authors: Bhatt
authors: Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique.
authors: Bindiya
authors: B
authors: Meggi
authors: Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique.
authors: Carolina
authors: C
authors: Araujo
authors: Department of Education and Clinical Research, Karolinska Institutet, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Sandström
authors: Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden; Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: Gunnel
authors: G
authors: Biberfeld
authors: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden; Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden; Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: Charlotta
authors: C
authors: Nilsson
authors: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
authors: Sören
authors: S
authors: Andersson
authors: Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique.
authors: Ilesh
authors: I
authors: Jani
authors: Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique; Hospital Central de Maputo, Maputo, Mozambique.
authors: Nafissa
authors: N
authors: Osman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009073:Mozambique / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013587:Syphilis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019562:Viral Load; D055815:Young Adult