FREQUENCY OF HUMAN IMMUNO-DEFICIENCY VIRUS IN PREGNANT WOMEN

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of human immunodeficiency virus infection among pregnant women attending antenatal care and to identify associated demographic and clinical risk factors.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Shaikh Zaid Women Hospital, Larkana, A total of 457 pregnant women aged 18–40 years attending antenatal clinics for routine antenatal checkups were included through non-probability consecutive sampling. Apparently healthy pregnant women of any gestational age, irrespective of parity, were enrolled after informed consent.

Results: A total of 457 pregnant women with a mean age of 28.84 ± 5.96 years were included in the study. The mean gestational age was 25.1 ± 8.7 weeks. Most participants were multiparous (69.6%), housewives (86.2%), and belonged to low socioeconomic backgrounds (52.3%). HIV seropositivity was detected in 23 women, giving an overall frequency of 5.0%. HIV positivity was significantly higher among women aged 33–40 years (11.4%), multiparous women (6.0%), illiterate participants (8.4%), women with prior blood transfusion history (16.3%), and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds (6.7%) (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The frequency of HIV infection among pregnant women was 5.0%, indicating a significant burden in the studied population. Routine antenatal HIV screening and targeted preventive strategies for high-risk women are essential to reduce maternal HIV burden and prevent mother-to-child transmission.