title: Twenty years trends and socio-demographic characteristics of HIV prevalence in women giving birth in Catalonia (Spain).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies of the prevalence of HIV in sentinel populations are one of the key strategies to monitor the HIV epidemic. We describe HIV prevalence trends and identify differences across time in the sociodemographic characteristics of HIV-infected women giving birth in Catalonia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used dried blood specimens, residual to newborn screening, which have been collected in Catalonia every 2 months since 1994. The total number of samples obtained until 2009 and in 2013 represented half of yearly newborns. From 2010 to 2012, the total number of samples obtained represented a quarter of yearly newborns. We studied the prevalence by year and place of current residence (Barcelona-city, cities>200,000 inhabitants and cities ≤ 200,000 inhabitants) and by the mother's birth country. A total of 624,912 infants were tested for HIV antibodies from January 1994 to December 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HIV prevalence trends among women giving birth in Catalonia decreased until 2007. Thereafter, there was a change to a steady trend until 2013. However, among foreign women giving birth and living in cities ≤ 200,000 inhabitants, the prevalence of HIV increased from 2007 to 2013.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To ensure early identification and treatment of HIV-infected mothers, it is essential to maintain HIV surveillance programs and pre- and post-natal screening programs, both in Barcelona and in cities with 200,000 inhabitants or less, especially in immigrant women.
authors: Centre of Epidemiological Studies of HIV/AIDS and STI of Catalonia (CEEISCAT) - Catalan Institut of Oncology (ICO) - Public Health Agency of Catalonia (ASPCAT), Badalona, Spain; Department of Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain; CIBER, Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain. Electronic address: dcarnice@gmail.com.
authors: Dolors
authors: D
authors: Carnicer-Pont
authors: Centre of Epidemiological Studies of HIV/AIDS and STI of Catalonia (CEEISCAT) - Catalan Institut of Oncology (ICO) - Public Health Agency of Catalonia (ASPCAT), Badalona, Spain; CIBER, Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain.
authors: Alexandra
authors: A
authors: Montoliu
authors: The Catalan Neonatal Early Detection Programme, Service of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Hospital Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Barcelona, Spain.
authors: José Luis
authors: JL
authors: Marín
authors: Research Support Unit. Primary Health Department of Costa de Ponent. ICS. IDIAP J Gol, Cornellà de Llobregat, Spain; CIBER, Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain.
authors: Jesús
authors: J
authors: Almeda
authors: Centre of Epidemiological Studies of HIV/AIDS and STI of Catalonia (CEEISCAT) - Catalan Institut of Oncology (ICO) - Public Health Agency of Catalonia (ASPCAT), Badalona, Spain; CIBER, Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain.
authors: Victoria
authors: V
authors: González
authors: Centre of Epidemiological Studies of HIV/AIDS and STI of Catalonia (CEEISCAT) - Catalan Institut of Oncology (ICO) - Public Health Agency of Catalonia (ASPCAT), Badalona, Spain.
authors: Rafael
authors: R
authors: Muñoz
authors: The Catalan Neonatal Early Detection Programme, Service of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Hospital Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Martínez
authors: Public Health Agency of Catalonia, (ASPCAT), Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Mireia
authors: M
authors: Jané
authors: Centre of Epidemiological Studies of HIV/AIDS and STI of Catalonia (CEEISCAT) - Catalan Institut of Oncology (ICO) - Public Health Agency of Catalonia (ASPCAT), Badalona, Spain; Department of Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain; CIBER, Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain.
authors: Jordi
authors: J
authors: Casabona
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000208:ethnology; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000151:congenital / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007843:Latin America / Q000208:ethnology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015997:Neonatal Screening; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Ethnicity and health; HIV infections; HIV seroprevalence; Infecciones por VIH; Mujeres embarazadas; Origen étnico y salud; Pregnant women; Seroprevalencia de VIH