HIV acquisition in pregnancy: implications for mother-to-child transmission at the population level in sub-Saharan Africa

Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Among Pregnant Women

Background

While the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus shows a decreasing trend globally, it is reported that the frequency of the infection and the associated mortality has increased in Somalia. HIV infection also plays an important role in maternal mortality and morbidity.

Objective

It is aimed to determine the HIV prevalence in pregnant women by observing the general population.

Methods

It was a quantitative, retrospective study conducted to examine the records of anti-HIV antibody test results of all patients. The sample size was calculated as 664 with a 99% confidence interval (CI) and a 5% margin of error. Anti-HIV results of selected patients in the electronic database were obtained. Mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum values were calculated for the age. Percentages were calculated for prevalence.

Results

A total of 7959 pregnant were tested and 17 pregnants were found to be positive (0.2%). The results of 199,936 patients were analyzed. A total of 699 patients were found to be positive (0.3%). Of the 699 positive cases, 293 (41.9) were female and 406 (58.1%) were male. HIV seroprevalence in men and women was 0.3% and 0.4%, respectively.

Conclusion

Within the scope of WHO's global HIV elimination goal, Somalia needs effective national and international initiatives.