| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2013 | Volume
: 1
| Issue : 1 | Page : 25-29 |
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The prevalence of HIV sero-positivity in late pregnancy among antenatal attendees with seronegative status in first half of pregnancy in Nnewi, South East Nigeria
Osita s Umeononihu, Joseph I Ikechebelu, John E. N. Okonkwo, Gerald O Udigwe, Ikechukwu I Mbachu
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, PMB 5025 Nnewi, Anambra, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
Osita s Umeononihu
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, PMB 5025 Nnewi, Anambra
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
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Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, women and children are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS with about 61% of the infections occurring in women and about 90% of the pediatrics infection through Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). Antenatal attendees in Nigeria are offered routine HIV testing and counselling on the first visit with opt-out option irrespective of the gestational age at contact. This appears commendable but, considering the national HIV prevalence of 4.6%, our large population of >140 million, the long period of seroconversion of the virus and the fact that pregnant women continue to indulge in activities like: unprotected sexual intercourse with single or multiple partners or men with multiple sexual partners or legal polygamy, cross generational sex, intercourse with sero-discordant partners that put them at risk of new infections; a single screening test on contact may not be sufficient to detect all maternal infections. Aim and Objectives: This is to perform a second HIV testing in antenatal women late in pregnancy and determined the sero-prevalence of HIV amongst those who tested negative in the first half of pregnancy. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective cross sectional study conducted among previously HIV negative pregnant women in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi between November 2010 and February 2011. The rapid test kits: Determine, Stat Pak and Unigold were used for detection/diagnosis of HIV antibody. Semi structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data of the subjects. Descriptive analysis of the result was done using the SPSS version 16. Results: The HIV prevalence following repeat testing in late pregnancy was 3.91% (9/230). The mean HIV prevalence at antenatal booking during the study period was 20.64% (116/562). Conclusion: The study highlights the high prevalence of HIV among previously negative attendees in late pregnancy. It brings to the fore the enormity of "missed opportunity" associated with a single routine antibody rapid test for pregnant women on contact/early pregnancy. Therefore, routine repeat antenatal HIV testing and counselling in late pregnancy is strongly advocated. |
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