Seroprevalence of HIV-1, HBV, HTLV-1 and Treponema pallidum among pregnant women in a rural hospital in Southern Ethiopia

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JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY

Seroprevalence of HIV-1, HBV, HTLV-1 and Treponema pallidum among pregnant women

in a rural hospital in Southern Ethiopia

José M. Ramosab, Toroc, Francisco Reyesb, Aránzazu Amorc, Félix

Gutiérreza

Received 13 October 2010; received in revised form 31 December 2010; accepted 17

January 2011. published online 17 February 2011.

Corrected Proof

Abstract

Background

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), hepatitis B virus (HBV), human

T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and Treponema pallidum represent major

public health problems in sub-Saharan countries. These infections can be

transmitted from mother to children and may cause severe morbidities in their

offspring. Ethiopia is among the countries where HIV-1, HBV and T. pallidum

infections are highly prevalent. However, information on seroprevalence of these

infections among antenatal care attendees is very scarce and the majority of

studies have been conducted in pregnant women from urban areas.

Objectives

To determine the seroprevalence of HIV-1, HBV, HTLV-1 and T. pallidum infections

among pregnant women in a rural hospital in Southern Ethiopia.

Study design

A cross-sectional study was conducted among consecutive pregnant women attending

a mother and child clinic in August 2008.

Results

A total of 165 pregnant women were included. The seroprevalence of HIV-1 was

1.8% (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.6–5.2%), and for HBV (HBsAg

seropositivity) was 6.1% (95% CI: 3.3–10.8%). Co-infection with HIV-1 and HBV

was detected in one patient (prevalence: 0.6%; 95% CI: 0.1–3.4%). No cases of

HTLV-1 infection and syphilis were found (95% CI: 0–2.3%).

Conclusions

A far from negligible percentage of pregnant women from rural areas harbour HBV,

and to a lesser extent, HIV-1 infections. Continuing efforts to strengthen the

existing health education program and comprehensive screening for all pregnant

women are necessary to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HBV and HIV-1.

a Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital General Universitario de Elche, Alicante,

Spain

b Gambo General Rural Hospital, Shashamane, Ethiopia

c Service of Microbiology, Hospital III, Madrid, Spain

Corresponding author at: Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital General

Universitario de Elche, Camí L’Almazara 11, Elche 03203, Alicante, Spain. Tel.:

+34 966616754; fax: +34 966616756.

PII: S1386-6532(11)00039-4

doi:10.1016/j.jcv.2011.01.010

© 2011 Published by Elsevier Inc.

[Guest guest]

http://www.journalofclinicalvirology.com/article/PIIS1386653211000394/abstract?r\

ss=yes

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY

Seroprevalence of HIV-1, HBV, HTLV-1 and Treponema pallidum among pregnant women

in a rural hospital in Southern Ethiopia

José M. Ramosab, Toroc, Francisco Reyesb, Aránzazu Amorc, Félix

Gutiérreza

Received 13 October 2010; received in revised form 31 December 2010; accepted 17

January 2011. published online 17 February 2011.

Corrected Proof

Abstract

Background

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), hepatitis B virus (HBV), human

T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and Treponema pallidum represent major

public health problems in sub-Saharan countries. These infections can be

transmitted from mother to children and may cause severe morbidities in their

offspring. Ethiopia is among the countries where HIV-1, HBV and T. pallidum

infections are highly prevalent. However, information on seroprevalence of these

infections among antenatal care attendees is very scarce and the majority of

studies have been conducted in pregnant women from urban areas.

Objectives

To determine the seroprevalence of HIV-1, HBV, HTLV-1 and T. pallidum infections

among pregnant women in a rural hospital in Southern Ethiopia.

Study design

A cross-sectional study was conducted among consecutive pregnant women attending

a mother and child clinic in August 2008.

Results

A total of 165 pregnant women were included. The seroprevalence of HIV-1 was

1.8% (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.6–5.2%), and for HBV (HBsAg

seropositivity) was 6.1% (95% CI: 3.3–10.8%). Co-infection with HIV-1 and HBV

was detected in one patient (prevalence: 0.6%; 95% CI: 0.1–3.4%). No cases of

HTLV-1 infection and syphilis were found (95% CI: 0–2.3%).

Conclusions

A far from negligible percentage of pregnant women from rural areas harbour HBV,

and to a lesser extent, HIV-1 infections. Continuing efforts to strengthen the

existing health education program and comprehensive screening for all pregnant

women are necessary to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HBV and HIV-1.

a Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital General Universitario de Elche, Alicante,

Spain

b Gambo General Rural Hospital, Shashamane, Ethiopia

c Service of Microbiology, Hospital III, Madrid, Spain

Corresponding author at: Infectious Diseases Unit, Hospital General

Universitario de Elche, Camí L’Almazara 11, Elche 03203, Alicante, Spain. Tel.:

+34 966616754; fax: +34 966616756.

PII: S1386-6532(11)00039-4

doi:10.1016/j.jcv.2011.01.010

© 2011 Published by Elsevier Inc.