title: Estimating HIV Incidence during Pregnancy and Knowledge of Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission with an Ad Hoc Analysis of Potential Cofactors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We determined the incidence of HIV seroconversion during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and ad hoc potential cofactors associated with HIV seroconversion after having an HIV-negative result antenatally. We also studied knowledge of PMTCT among pregnant women in seven health facilities in Fako Division, South West Region, Cameroon.
  
  
  METHODS
  During the period between September 12 and December 4, 2011, we recruited a cohort of 477 HIV-negative pregnant women by cluster sampling. Data collection was with a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire. Sociodemographic information, knowledge of PMTCT, and methods of HIV prevention were obtained from the study population and we did Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) for HIV.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence rate of HIV seroconversion during pregnancy was 6.8/100 woman-years. Ninety percent of the participants did not use condoms throughout pregnancy but had a good knowledge of PMTCT of HIV. Only 31.9% of participants knew their HIV status before the booking visit and 33% did not know the HIV status of their partners.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence rate of HIV seroconversion in the Fako Division, Cameroon, was 6.8/100 woman-years. No risk factors associated with HIV seroconversion were identified among the study participants because of lack of power to do so.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Douala General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Thomas Obinchemti
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Egbe
authors.affiliation: Mbingo Baptist Hospital Annexe, Douala, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Rose-Mary Asong
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Tazinya
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Douala General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Gregory Edie
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Halle-Ekane
authors.affiliation: District Hospital Poli, Poli, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Eta-Nkongho
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Egbe
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Eric Akum
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Achidi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D015995:Prevalence