Syphilis and HIV infections among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Republic of Congo

Abstract

IntroductionHIV and syphilis during pregnancy remain a public health concern especially in developing countries. Pregnant women attending antenatal clinics sites for the first time between September and December 2011 and who accepted to participate in the study were enrolled. The objective was to estimate the syphilis and HIV infection rate in this population.MethodsA study was conducted in 44 selected ANCs from 12 departments (5 urban and 7 rural). Pregnant women who accepted to participate in the study, attending selected sentinel ANCs sites for the first time between September and December 2011 were enrolled. To detect HIV antibodies, two consecutive ELISA assays were used (Genscreen Ultra HIV Ag/Ac, (BioRad, France) and Enzygnostic Intergral II (Siemens, GMBH, Marbug-Germany). In case of discordant results, the Western blot test II, HIV1 and 2 (Bio-Rad, Marne la Coquette, France) was used as the reference method. The RPR (Bio-Scan, Karnataka, India) test was performed to detect syphilis infection. The RPR positive results were confirmed using the TPHA test (Biotech, Cambridge, UK). Data were analyzed using SPSS 17.0 software.ResultsA total of 2979 pregnant women attending ANCs were enrolled. The global HIV infection rate was estimated to be 3.6% (CI: 95%; 3.0-4.4). As expected, HIV prevalence was significantly higher in women aged above 25 years (4.4% (3.4-5.6), p = 0.026) and those attending urban ANCs (5.04%, p < 0.01). Also, women living in the urban area are more at risk to be infected (5.04 VS 2.38, p < 0.01). The RPR test was positive in 117 pregnant women (3.92%). The risk for syphilis occurrence was significantly higher among the single women compared to the married ones (4.4% VS 2.7%; p < 0.01). It was also estimated that the HIV and syphilis coinfection occurred in 22 cases (0.73%).ConclusionThe prevalence's of syphilis and HIV were relatively low. Marital status and sentinel site location were a risk factor associated with HIV and syphilis infections respectively. Therefore, substantial effort is needed to reinforce prevention strategies in this population to prevent mother-to-child and further horizontal transmissions of these infections.

HIV/AIDS and Syphilis Sero-prevalence Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Center in Rwanda

“…This is similar to the previous study conducted in Rwanda among pregnant women attending ANC where syphilis prevalence was 2.0% [8]. Also our finding are in accordance with previous study conducted in Democratic Republic of Congo where HIV infection rate was estimated to be 3.6% [12]. Furthermore, the observed HIV prevalence of 4.2% and syphilis of 1.2% in this study are consistent with the study conducted at Gondar, Ethiopia 4.1% and 1.9% respectively [13].…”

“…This is in agreement with study conducted in Tanzania where higher prevalence were found in the young age group [16]. Also, it is in accordance with Roch Fabien Niama et al, where in their finding, age group above 25 year of age had increased risk of infection than others [12]. This may be attributed to the increased risk of exposure to STIs, since this age group is very sexually active [13] In this study, a bigger proportion of HIV and syphilis positivity were seen in cohabitant women compared to the married women.…”

“…This findings explain and support the previous findings of vulnerability and high risk of pregnant women to STIs [4,5]. In addition to that, a slight higher or deferent prevalence of syphilis were reported by previous studies conducted in Republic of Congo 3.92% [12], in Tanzania 2.5% [16]. Ethiopia, Gondar 2.9% [17], Gondar, Ethiopia 3.7%, Sub Saharan Africa 2.87% and Nigeria 7.28% [13].…”

Meta-Analysis of The Prevalence of Genital Infections Among Hiv Carriers and Uninfected Women

“…Syphilis is an emerging STD that has been growing in recent years especially among people with HIV. Syphilis and HIV appear to be the most commonly reported STDs [67]. Some studies have shown that the prevalence of syphilis among women is increasing worldwide [68].…”

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Syphilis Infection among Antiretroviral Therapy Naive HIV Patients at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Ghana

“…The co-infection of sexually transmitted infections and HIV may be having a profound detrimental effect especially among the youth in developing countries. Syphilis and HIV appear to be the most reported STIs, although there has been a worldwide decrease in the prevalence of syphilis by the year 2000 [2].…”