الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a public health problem worldwide. More than 90% of infections among children infected with the virus occur through mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). Aim: To estimate the prevalence rate and risk factors associated with HIV infection among pregnant women in a tertiary university referral hospital. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study, was conducted on 500 pregnant women who attended routine antenatal care clinics at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department-Faculty of Medicine, Kasr Al Aini Hospital, Cairo University, Egypt. Blood samples were collected and tested for HIV antibodies using the Healgen rapid test. Positive results were confirmed by the Murex HIV ELISA test. Results: About 153 (30.6%) of pregnant women aged 21-25 years, 94.6 % (473/500) were living in Great Cairo, 44.2% (221/500) had attained a secondary level of education, and 88.2% (441/500) were housewives. The most commonly self-reported risk factor of HIV infection was hospital admission (71.6%) followed by genital cutting/mutilation (70.4%), a history of dentist visit and tooth extraction (68.6%), and sharing other personnel equipment’s (41.8%). Family History of HIV, IV drug abuse, and tattooing were the lowest detected risk factors. All pregnant women were tested for HIV, only one pregnant female exhibited positive result for HIV infection using the Healgen rapid test (0.2%; 95%CI: 0.02%-0.93%). There was significant association of HIV with family history of HIV (p=<0.001) and with place of residence (p=0.0001). Conclusion: the prevalence of HIV among pregnant women is low in Egypt; many females have no obstetric complication or chronic diseases. Television and multimedia have effective role for awareness of HIV. |