Prevalence of HIV infection in pregnant women in Vellore region
John, T.J.; Bhushan, N.; Babu, P.G.; Seshadri, L.; Balasubramanium, N.; Jasper, P.
Indian Journal of Medical Research 97: 227-230
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-5340 PMID: 8144202 Document Number: 333770
All pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at the Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore, from October 1987 until June 1992 were screened for HIV antibody while testing them for evidence of syphilis using the VDRL test. The screening was done by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using Vironostika Anti-Uniform, Vironostika HIV Mixt or Wellcozyme test kits. Reactive samples were retested and those confirmed reactive were subjected to Western blot test. The women were also given counselling. The husbands were then interviewed by trained social workers or physicians and tested for HIV antibodies. During these sessions, health education regarding the mode of transmission of HIV infection, risk to the newborn, family planning to prevent further pregnancies, and the use of condoms to prevent further transmission of infection was also elucidated. The women and their husbands were regularly followed up in the HIV clinic. The annual prevalence rate of infection ranged from 0.4/1000 to 1/1000 with no trend of increase over time. Among the 20 HIV seropositive women, 18 were monogamous and had received no blood transfusions. Their husbands were also found to be HIV seropositive. Each of the 18 husbands had had sex with commercial sex workers (CSWs), mostly in Vellore town. The remaining two women were CSWs and had had multiple sexual partners. The women were between 19 and 33 years of age. The husbands of the 18 married women were between 21 and 44 years of age. Seventeen (85%) women, including the two CSWs, were of low socioeconomic status. Three women ( 15%) belonged to middle class families. None of the women had clinical features of AIDS. Seventeen (85%) women had normal vaginal delivery; two (10%) had forceps delivery while one (5%) had caesarian section. The prevalence of HIV infection in pregnant women is already relatively high in the Vellore region and therefore all institutions providing obstetric care should institute strict infection control procedures in order to avoid risk to clients and health workers.