Seropositivity rate and sociodemographic factors associated to HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis among parturients from Irene Neto Maternity of Lubango city, Angola

Abstract

ObjectivesTo characterise infections by HIV, Treponema pallidum, hepatitis B (HBV) and C virus (HCV) in parturients admitted to Irene Neto Maternity, Lubango city, Huíla province, Angola, namely its seropositivity rate and its association with sociodemographic factors.MethodsAn observational, cross-sectional and analytical facility-based survey was conducted among 500 parturients at Irene Neto Maternity, from October 2016 to September 2017. Women in labour were screened for antibodies against HIV-1/2, T. pallidum and HCV. Antigen detection was used to diagnose HBV infections. Sociodemographic data were also collected. The seropositivity rate and respective CIs were estimated at a level of 95%. Multivariable logistic regression models were performed to explore the association between the studied infections and sociodemographic factors.ResultsIn 11.8% of the parturients (95% CI 9.3 to 14.9), at least one infection was detected. HBV infection was the most common (8.6%), followed by HIV infection (3.0%) and syphilis (1.0%). Coinfection with HBV and HIV was observed in two parturients (0.4%) and HBV, HIV and T. pallidum were all detected in one parturient (0.2%). No HCV infection was detected. For each additional year of formal education, pregnant women had a 10.0% lower chance of being infected with HBV (adjusted OR=0.900, 95% CI 0.816 to 0.992).ConclusionsThis study is one of the few reports contributing for the knowledge of some sexually transmitted infections epidemiology in Angola. The seropositivity rate of the studied infections is of concern, especially the high endemicity of HBV. There is a need for a stronger commitment and further research to design cost-effective public health and clinical interventions to improve the situation.

Prevalence trends and risk factors associated with HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C virus among pregnant women in Southwest China, 2009–2018

“…We found that the decreasing HIV prevalence among pregnant women was consistent with other studies based in China [13,14,18]. The HIV prevalence reported in this study was lower than that reported in other countries, such as Cameroon (5.70% in 2017) [28], Ethiopia (4.1% in 2011-2014) [29] and Angola (3.0% in 2017) [30]. Simultaneously, the prevalence of syphilis and HCV was also comparatively lower than reported in other studies [28][29][30][31][32], which was higher than 1% for both.…”

“…The HIV prevalence reported in this study was lower than that reported in other countries, such as Cameroon (5.70% in 2017) [28], Ethiopia (4.1% in 2011-2014) [29] and Angola (3.0% in 2017) [30]. Simultaneously, the prevalence of syphilis and HCV was also comparatively lower than reported in other studies [28][29][30][31][32], which was higher than 1% for both. Several reasons could explain the decreasing trend of STI prevalence among pregnant women in this study.…”

Evaluating vertical transmission of sexually transmitted infections to newborns

“…An observational, cross-sectional, analytical facility-based survey was conducted among 500 parturients at INM, from October 2016 to September 2017 [5]. INM is the reference maternity in Huíla, the second most populous province in Angola.…”

“…Blood samples were obtained from 57 newborns of 36, 12, four and two mothers infected with HBV, HIV-1, T. pallidum and HBV/HIV-1, respectively [5]. There were three twin pregnancies among the former, totalizing 41 newborns from HBV-infected mothers.…”

“…Inconclusive results were confirmed by Western blot (Genscreen TM HIV-1/2 Version 2, Bio-Rad, France). Maternal T. pallidum antibodies were screened with a treponemal rapid test (Laboquick Anti-Syphilis Test, Koroglu Medical Devices Ltd., Turkey) and, when reactive, the result was confirmed with RPR (Syphilis RPR Test, Human, Germany) [5]. We also performed HBeAg detection in 33/38 HBsAg-positive mothers (HBe Ag&Ab, DIA.PRO, Italy).…”