Prevalence and risk factors for HIV infection in pregnant women in north Trinidad / Prevalencia y Factores de Riesgo por Infección de VIH Entre las Gestantes del Norte de Trinidad
West Indian med. j
; 55(5): 346-350, Oct. 2006. tab
Article
in En
| LILACS
| ID: lil-500998
Responsible library:
BR1.1
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in the Caribbean is reported to be second only to sub Saharan Africa. HIV in pregnancy has become an increasingly important focus of attention in HIV research because of its role in contributing to spread of the infection. This study sought to establish the prevalence and risk factors associated with HIV infection among antenatal women in the northwest region of Trinidad. SUBJECTS ANDMETHODS:
Using a cross-sectional survey design, interviews were conducted with each new pregnant attendee to the antenatal clinics in the county of St George West over a six-month period after informed consent was obtained. These women were all offered routine HIV testing in their antenatal assessment. Their HIV results were confirmed through the island's HIV monitoring facility. The interviews included questions on demographics, known risk factors for HIV infection, mental health history and related information on their partners. Women who had refused testing were also asked to give reasons for this.RESULTS:
There was a total of 541 women attending the clinic for the first time during the six-month period Seven of them refused testing. Of the remaining 534 women, 37 were HIV positive (6.8%). Fourteen of the HIV positive women (37.8%) admitted to knowing of their status prior to becoming pregnant. Risk factors significantly associated with positive HIV status were early age of first sexual intercourse, a history of sexually transmitted disease, mental health problems and homelessness. Regression analysis established a history of sexually transmitted disease as the only independent predictor of HIV infection in this sample.CONCLUSION:
These findings reveal a high rate of HIV infection among pregnant women in northwest Trinidad and suggest that having a history of sexually transmitted disease is a key determinant of this. Prevention efforts must therefore be targeted at identifying the factors which influ...RESUMEN
Antecedentes Se reporta que la prevalencia de infección por VIH en el Caribe, ocupa el segundo lugar detrás del África subsaharana. Debido al papel que juega en diseminar la infección, el VIH en los embarazos se ha convertido cada vez más en foco de atención de las investigaciones de VIH. Por tal motivo, nos dimos a la tarea de establecer la prevalencia y los factores de riesgo asociados con la infección por VIH entre las mujeres que reciben cuidados antenatales en la región noroccidental de Trinidad y Tobago. Sujetos y métodos:
Usando un diseño de encuesta transversal, se llevaron a cabo entrevistas con cada nueva embarazada atendida en las clínicas antenatales en el condado de Saint George West, por un período de seis meses, tras de obtener consentimiento informado. A estas mujeres se les aplicó pruebas de VIH de rutina en su valoración antenatal. Los resultados de sus pruebas de VIH fueron confirmados en la instalación de monitoreo de VIH de la isla. Las entrevistas incluyeron preguntas sobre datos demográficos, factores de riesgo conocidos en las infecciones por VIH, historia de salud mental, así como información relacionada con sus parejas. A las mujeres que rehusaron hacerse las pruebas, se les preguntó también sus motivos para el rechazo.Resultados:
Hubo un total de 541 mujeres que asistieron a la clínica por primera vez durante el período de seis meses. Siete de ella rechazaron las pruebas. De las restantes 534 mujeres, 37 resultaron VIH positivas (6.8%). Catorce de las mujeres positivas al VIH (37.8%), admitieron conocer su condición antes de salir embarazadas. Los factores de riesgo...
Full text:
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Index:
LILACS
Main subject:
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
/
HIV Infections
Type of study:
Etiology_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
/
Risk_factors_studies
/
Screening_studies
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Pregnancy
Country/Region as subject:
Caribe ingles
/
Trinidad y tobago
Language:
En
Journal:
West Indian med. j
Journal subject:
MEDICINA
Year:
2006
Type:
Article