Partner disclosure and human immunodefi ciency virus serology status among antenatal clinic attendees with human immunodefi ciency virus infection in Ilorin
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Date
2014
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Medical Research Society and College of Medicine and Health Sciences Abia State University.
Abstract
Background: The high prevalence of human immunodefi ciency virus (HIV) remains rampant in
sub-Saharan Africa with poor partner disclosure and a high risk for infections among serodiscordant
couples. Objective: To determine the prevalence, partner disclosure and HIV serology pattern
among HIV positive antenatal clinic attendees. Design: A descriptive (retrospective) study.
Setting: The antenatal clinic of a tertiary center in Ilorin, Nigeria. Subjects: HIV positive
women receiving antenatal care at the study site from September 1, 2010 to February 28, 2013.
Materials and Methods: The case fi les and the antenatal clinic records of all participants were
retrieved, relevant data were extracted and presented in tables and charts. Results: Of the 7,342
antenatal clinic attendees during the study period, 237 were HIV-positive (prevalence 4.9%). The modal
age group was 30–34 years (42.6%), adolescents were three (1.3%), 206 (86.9%) were educated,
192 (81%) were employed, 96 (40.5%) were diagnosed during index pregnancy while 141 (59.5%)
were diagnosed and commenced antiretroviral therapy prior to conception. The modal age for male
partners was 35–44 years (54%), 228 (96.2%) were aware of the woman’s HIV status, 211 (89%) of
these men were aware of their own HIV status while the 26 (11%) refused testing; the serodiscordance
rate was 56.7%. Conclusion: The high serodiscordance rate for HIV infection portends a signifi cant
risk for transmission between partners; thus, higher awareness during and outside pregnancy should
be improved upon to educate on strategies for preventing partner and mother to child transmissions
Description
Keywords
Antenatal clinic attendees, Human immunudefficiency virus infection, Human immunudefficiency virus serology, partner disclosure