PREGNANCY OUTCOME AMONG HIV POSITIVE WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINIC AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGURI TEACHING HOSPITAL, MAIDUGURI

Abstract

Objective: To determine the pregnancy outcome among HIV positive women
attending ANC at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri.
Patients and methods: A prospective case control study of 500 women
attending the ANC for booking was carried out. HIV screening and diagnosis
was done using ‘parallel’ rapid tests and confirmation with ‘Western Blot’
technique. Socio demographic and obstetrics history were obtained and
analyzed.
Results: Out of the 500 pregnant mothers that were counseled and tested for
HIV, 52 were found to be HIV positive giving a sero prevalence rate of 10.4%,
with the perinatal transmission rate at 11.8%. The HIV positive women were
more educated and younger than the control. More than 90% of the HIV
positive women booked for ANC between 2nd and 3rd trimester with average
booking gestational age of 25.3 weeks. Elective caesarean section (ELCS) was
offered to 11(21.2%) and all the babies delivered through ELCS were negative
for HIV. Prematurity, low birth weight and birth asphyxia were more in HIV
positive women than control. Advanced maternal age (X2 =33.53 P =0.000),
Low CD4 count (X2 =15.58 P =0.016), high maternal viral load (X2 =21.85 P
=0.005), prematurity (X2 = 9.872 P= 0.007), low birth weight (X2 = 63.80 P=
0.000) and birth asphyxia(X2 = 24.149 P= 0.000) were the major determinants
of perinatal transmission of HIV infection in this study.
Conclusion: The Seroprevalence of HIV infection in pregnancy is still very
high and a significant determinants of adverse pregnancy outcome. Efforts
should be intensified to identify and proffer effective intervention measures to
improve the pregnancy outcome.

Recommendation: A more aggressive and a wider campaign strategy is
advocated. There should be decentralization and provision of more screening
and care centers at all levels of our health care. The availability and sustained
drug supply to effectively and promptly manage diagnosed cases.

PREGNANCY OUTCOME AMONG HIV POSITIVE WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINIC AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MAIDUGURI TEACHING HOSPITAL, MAIDUGURI