Abstract

Background: Mother-to-child transmission is the most significant source of infection in children younger than 15 years of age, which can be prevented through an effective package of prevention of parent-to-child transmission (PPTCT) services integrated with the existing reproductive and child health services.

Objective: To determine the seroprevalence and maternal and fetal outcomes in HIV-positive pregnancy.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NSCB Medical College and Hospital, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India, from the period of August 1, 2010, to October 31, 2011. All pregnant women who attended antenatal clinic and who came directly to labor ward were counseled for HIV testing. Informed written consent was obtained. The blood samples were collected and tested as per WHO and National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) guidelines. Spouses were counseled and tested. Babies were followed up till 18 months for HIV testing.

Result: Of the 5,332 antenatal registrations, 4,851 (91%) of them were counseled. About 4,804 (99%) consented for HIV testing. The number of women detected as HIV positive was 30. Seroprevalence in our study was 0.62%. The mean age in our study was 24.80 ± 3.22 years. A majority of them were primigravida [15 (50%)]. About 28 (93.3%) spouses were HIV positive and 24 (80%) of them were sexually promiscuous. Around 21 (70%) of them did not practice any contraceptive method. About 20 (87%) women delivered vaginally. Single-dose nevirapine prophylaxis was given to all mother–baby pairs. There were two maternal and two perinatal mortalities.

Conclusion: Married women in childbearing age group are a vulnerable category. The screening of pregnant women, testing, and counseling under PPTCT services through antenatal clinics allows the early identification of HIV infection and provides unique opportunity to implement preventive strategies against HIV infection in women, their infants, and children.

Key words: HIV, mother-to-child transmission, PPTCT, seroprevalence