title: The evaluation of accuracy of serial rapid HIV test algorithm in the diagnosis of HIV antibodies among pregnant women in south east Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Accurate HIV testing in pregnancy is critical to the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV infection and linkages to other preventive strategies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study determined the sensitivity, specificity negative and positive predictive value of serial rapid testing of HIV among pregnant women in Nnewi, south east Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a comparative descriptive study conducted over a 4-month period. Serial rapid testing algorithm was compared with conventional ELISA testing after obtaining informed consents from the pregnant women. All positive and discordant results were confirmed with western blot HIV test. Participants also completed a questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 166 pregnant women participated in this study. The mean age of the participants was 29 ± 4.3 years. The HIV prevalence was highest in the 25-29 years category. This was also the modal age category. Majority of the women were multiparous. The prevalence of HIV infection was 12 %. The sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive value of serial rapid HIV testing was 95, 100, 99.3 and 100 % respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The sensitivity of the serial rapid test algorithm was high but still lower than the WHO recommended 99 % and above. The 100 % specificity and positive predictive value makes it a good diagnostic test strategy. There is need for regular review of HIV test kits and policy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, PMB 5025, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. imbachu@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Ikechukwu Innocent
authors.initials: II
authors.lastname: Mbachu
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, PMB 5025, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. geraldudigwe@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Udigwe
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, PMB 5025, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. ji.ikechebelu@unizik.edu.ng.
authors.forename: Ikechebelu
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, PMB 5025, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. jenoemy@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Okonkwo
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: John
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, PMB 5025, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. docomene@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Umeononihu Osita
authors.initials: UO
authors.lastname: Samuel
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, PMB 5025, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. ugbajaj@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Ugboaja
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, PMB 5025, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. krantzwhitney@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mbachu Chioma
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ngozi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D009549:Nigeria; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D015483:HIV Antibodies