BACKGROUND

The goal of the study is to assess the prevalence and the risk factors of the infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among pregnant women in the area of Annaba (Algeria).

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional study with analytical purposes. The study included 3044 pregnant women admitted to two regional hospitals within a period of time of five months. Two Elisa tests were used to determine the prevalence of HIV infection. An analysis of medical history and serum tests for biomarkers hepatitis virus B infection, hepatitis virus C infection and syphilis to determine the possible mode of contamination, by blood or sexual transmission.

RESULTS

HIV prevalence was 5.3/1000 (CI 95%; 3.12-8.37), HBV prevalence 24.7/1000 (CI 95%; 19.6-30.7), HCV prevalence 6.3/1000 (CI 95%; 3.8-9.5) and syphilis prevalence 2.6/1000 (CI 95%; 1.2-5). On average, pregnant women infected by HIV were 33+/-5 years old, married, and had three children. The analysis of the markers of exposure risk investigated in our study showed that the pregnant women infected with HIV do not compose a specific risk group. Overall our results suggest that the more probable route of HIV transmission for women of the Annaba region is via heterosexual intercourse with spouse.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of HIV infection in Annaba remains high 5.3/1000, compared with the national average of 1/1000. In this region, pregnant women infected with HIV are not part of a group at particular risk. The HIV monitoring should be further strengthened in our country.