A three-year review of the pattern of HIV infection among pregnant women attending Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The HIV prevalence rate in Rivers State was low at onset, but increased progressively, often exceeding the National average since 2001. However, there has been a reported decline in the prevalence in Nigeria and elsewhere with wide local and zonal differences.

Aim: To assess the HIV sero-prevalence among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic (ANC) at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Methods: Hospital records of all pregnant women who registered and attended the antenatal clinic from 2nd January 2005 to 31st December 2007 and were screened for HIV infection at the Haematology laboratory were retrieved and analysed using Epi-Info version 6.04d.  

Results: A total of 9,869 ANC attendees were screened for HIV infection at the Hospital.  The prevalence rates were 4.8% in 2005, 5.4% in 2006 and 5.3% in 2007. The pattern of infection showed that the highest prevalence rate of 5.6% was found among the youngest age group (15- 24 years), clients with only primary education (8.5%), and skilled workers (7.3%) (p= 0.000).

Conclusion: HIV infection is still in its epidemic phase in Rivers State unlike in other areas in the country where declines have set in. Caution is therefore required in extending the emerging declines in prevalence rates elsewhere to Rivers State, so that the existing political will and commitment in control efforts in the State are not weakened, if the State wishes to experience a sustained decline in prevalence rate in the foreseeable future.

Keywords: HIV pattern, Prevalence, Pregnant women, Rivers State, Nigeria