The Burden of HIV Infection among Women Attending Antenatal Clinic in a Semi-urban Nigerian Town

Background: Stable heterosexual relationships are a major determinant of the HIV epidemic and seroprevalence rate of HI V amongst antenatal women is a reflection of what is happening in the larger society. Objectives: This study aims to determine the HIV seroprevalence rate and to identify factors responsible for this rate among pregnant women. Method: The study was a three-year (July 2008 June 2011) cross-sectional evaluation of cases of HI V in pregnancy. Data were collected with the aid of a closed structured self-administered questionnaire for all the positive women and randomly selected negative cases. The study was carried out at Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Results: The seroprevalence rate during the study period was 4.9%. Parity, age at first coitus, educational status, marital status and occupation do not seem to increase the risk. However, partner being unemployed, hospital/clinic delivery, the route of last delivery, previous induced abortion and the number of lifetime partners were identified as risk for HIV seropositivity (all p-values < 0.005). Conclusion: Sex education on the dangers of sexual promiscuity, availability of barrier methods of contraception, delivery with strict adherence to the principles of universal precaution and routine screening of all pregnant women during the antenatal period will help to decrease the prevalence of HIV in our environment.