PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS FOR HISTOLOGICAL CHORIOAMNIONITIS AMONGST HIV POSITIVE PREGNANT WOMEN AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION OF HIV IN A NIGERIAN POPULATION

Abstract

Background: HIV/AIDS is a global problem of frightening proportions. More than 95% of HIV infected individuals live in the developing world, predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa with mother to child transmission of HIV being the commonest cause of paediatric HIV/AIDS. Chorioamnionitis is an important risk factor for vertical transmission of HIV/AIDS.

Objective: To determine the number of HIV positive women who have histological chorioamnionitis, the impact of various variables such as age, parity, gestational age, sexual intercourse, previous history of chorioamnionitis, history of prolonged rupture of membrane, mode of delivery, number of vaginal examinations etc on the prevalence of chorioamnionitis and to determine the number of babies of women with histological chorioamnionitis who develop MTCT of HIV

Methods: It was a cross-sectional study. HIV positive parturients were interviewed, examined and had their placenta examined histologically for chorioamnionitis. Data regarding HIV was also retrieved from their hospital records and their babies were followed up to determine if they have been infected at 6 and 24 weeks.

Results: A total of 159 HIV positive parturients were enrolled and 88(55.53%) had histologic chorioamnionitis (HCA). The sociodemographic characteristics and obstetric and clinical features of those with and without HCA were similar. Staging was significantly affected by the number of intrapartum vaginal examinations. There was no MTCT of HIV in any of the babies born to the study subjects.Conclusion: The prevalence of HCA in these HIV positive parturients is high. Most variables did not affect the occurrence of histologic chorioamnionitis and there was no MTCT of HIV. Larger studies are needed to determine the extent and implication of HCA and possible causative factors including infectious agents

PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS FOR HISTOLOGICAL CHORIOAMNIONITIS AMONGST HIV POSITIVE PREGNANT WOMEN AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH MOTHER-TO-CHILD TRANSMISSION OF HIV IN A NIGERIAN POPULATION