Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Seroprevalence in Parturients in Rural South Carolina

Abstract

To establish the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the population of childbearing women in a rural South Carolina community, a blinded seroprevalence survey was conducted using all cord blood samples collected during a one-year period at a signal hospital. There were 1,811 live births (57% white, 43% black) during that period. Of the 1,365 samples collected and tested, six (0.44%) were HIV-positive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and three (0.22%) were confirmed by Western blot analysis. Based on these percentages, we estimate that there are approximately 80 HIV-infected women of childbearing age among the 180,000 residents of our health district. Although the seroprevalence of HIV in our parturients is low, it is somewhat higher than that reported from other rural areas. We therefore recommend counseling and voluntary blood testing for HIV antibodies, with informed consent, for all pregnant women living within our health district.