HIV infection among pregnant women in Nigeria

Sagay, A.S.; Kapiga, S.H.; Imade, G.E.; Sankale, J.L.; Idoko, J.; Kanki, P.

doi:10.1016/j.ijgo.2005.03.030

« Previous Next »International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics
Volume 90, Issue 1 , Pages 61-67, July 2005

HIV infection among pregnant women in Nigeria

A.S. Sagay
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
S.H. Kapiga
- Department of Population and International Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Avenue, Bldg 1 Room 1105, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 617 432 1237; fax: +1 617 566 0365.
G.E. Imade
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
J.L. Sankale
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
J. Idoko
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
P. Kanki
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA

Received 9 December 2004; received in revised form 24 March 2005; accepted 30 March 2005.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine risk factors for HIV among pregnant women (N=2657) receiving antenatal services in Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria. Methods: Information about potential risk factors was obtained at interview. Biological samples were collected for detection of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Results: The prevalence of HIV was 8.2%. Women aged 20–29 years had more than 4-fold increased risk of HIV. Women of Catholic (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=1.72, 95% CI=1.01–2.95) and Pentecostal (AOR=2.57, 95% CI=1.46–4.52) denominations were more likely to be HIV-infected when compared to Moslem women. The risk of HIV was also increased among women with multiple marriages and in women married to a banker/accountant. Other predictors of HIV were having a husband with other partners, perceived risk of HIV, STIs, candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis. Conclusions: Development of effective interventions, including behavioral change, expansion of perinatal HIV prevention services and STI control, should be given the highest priority.