Human immunodeficiency virus seroprevalence among pregnant women in Minna, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the dominant mode of acquisition of HIV infection for children, currently resulting in more than 200 new pediatric HIV infections each year worldwide. In most cases, MTCT of HIV is believed to occur close to or during childbirth. Materials and Methods : A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at General Hospital Minna, Nigeria, to elicit their sociodemographic characteristics and determine their HIV status. Structured questionnaires and interviews were the tools used for the collection of data. Results: The mean age and age range of the respondents were 20 years and 20-42 years, respectively. Of the 231 samples collected, 18 (7.8%) tested positive for HIV, and 11 (18.2%) of these were students. Conclusion: The study showed a significant HIV prevalence, which could serve as a baseline data for subsequent monitoring of the disease among pregnant women in Minna. And, there is need for sensitization of people on voluntary counselling and testing and other core interventions of prevention of maternal to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, such as anti-retroviral prophylaxis, safer delivery and infant-feeding practices in view of its advantages.