Results of screening for HIV antibodies in pregnant women in Amsterdam reference stations, 1988-1995
Bindels, P.J.; Mulder-Folkerts, D.K.; Schutte, M.F.; Smit-van Wijk, I.; Boer, K.; Coutinho, R.A.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 140(46): 2296-2298
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-2162 PMID: 8984385 Document Number: 457049
In order to determine the prevalence of HIV in the general heterosexual population of Amsterdam, 16,709 pregnant women attending two hospitals and one maternity clinic in the period 1988-1995 were asked to undergo a HIV test, of whom 15,276 gave informed consent (91.4%). Pregnant women with a risk of HIV infection were possibly overrepresented in those who refused. The overall HIV prevalence in 1988-1995 was 0.28% and showed no significant differences over the years. In women with a known risk factor for infection the prevalence was 240:10,000, in those without 5:10,000. Whereas intravenous drug use was the most probable cause of infection before 1993, since then it was observed in only 2/20 of the HIV positive pregnant women. Heterosexual transmission appears to be increasing.