Who is at high risk? A comparison of the seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus in pregnant women and a high risk group

To compare the seroprevalence of HIV in Jamaican pregnant women with that in substance abusers, two groups of antenatal patients were studied, one (A) attending a public hospital clinic and the other (B) attending private clinics. The HIV seroprevalence in the antenatal patients was compared with that in the substance abusers, group C, in 1996 and five years later in 2001. HIV antibody was determined by enzyme immunoassay. The HIV seroprevalence in group A more than doubled (1.6-3.8) in five-years, 1996-2001. There were no seropositives in group B. In group C, the seroprevalence rose from 2.08 in 1996 to 5.76 in 2001. There was indication that group A might no longer be considered [quot ]low risk[quot ], as there was no significant difference from group C in HIV seroprevalence in 1996 and 2001. The trend seen in this study is worthy of further investigation

Rubella susceptibility in Jamaican women, 1996

The 1995 rubella outbreak in Jamaica indicated a need to survey the susceptibility rate in Jamaican antenatal women at risk. In this 1996 study, 389 women in the reproductive age group were investigated for rubella antibodies. In the public sector urban group (A), rubella susceptibility was 20.2, while in a private sector urban clinic (B) practising routine rubella surveillance and recommending postpartum immunization in seronegatives, the susceptibility rate was 13.8. The latter rate was significantly lower than that in the rural group (C) (35.9; p < 0.001). The overall susceptibility rate was 21.3. Rubella susceptibility has improved overall in women of childbearing age compared with levels in the prevaccine year of 1968. A significant thrust in rubella prevention will still be required before the next rubella epidemic in order to reduce the risk of congenital rubella syndrome.