SEROPREVALENCE OF SYPHILIS AND HIV-1 AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINIC IN JIMMA HOSPITAL, SOUTHWESTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Background: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) are independent risk factor for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) infection. Effective control program for STI showed to have effective prevention of HIV infection. Syphilis and other STIS are common in Africa in general and in Ethiopia in particular. The assessment of STIS and HIV-infection in pregnant women seemed to be a reasonable step towards control of STIs and HIV-1 since these groups of population are easily accessible and representative of the general population. Methods: Cross-sectional study of Syphilis and HIV-1 among 224 pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) in Jimma Hospital, Ethiopia, from October to December 1997 was conducted. Data was collected using structured questionnaire for syphilis unlinked anonymous testing to test HIV-1 was employed. Sera for HIV-1 and syphilis investigation were done using ELISA, Rapid test and RPR, TPHA tests, respectively. Results: Majority (90%) of the participants were married, 58.5% housewives and 59.4% of them were educated. The prevalence of active and past syphilis infection was 5/224(2.2%) and 12/224(5.4%), respectively. The overall prevalence of HIV-1 infection was 27/224 (12.1%)/95% CI: 8.1-17.1) and higher 6/35 (17.1%) among the age groups of 15-19 years followed by 20-24 years 12/89 (13.5%). Knowledge about STIs was quite high (61.2%) and more than 50% of them know how to protect STIs including HIV. There was an association between past syphilis infection and HIV-1 seropositivity (P<0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of syphilis among pregnant women in Jimma Hospital was relatively low and comparable to those reported from Addis Ababa and in other African countries. However, HIV-1 prevalence was high. This result suggests that HIV-1 is epidemic in the town among antenatal clinic attendees was high and that there is an urgent need to intensify HIV-1 prevention activities.