Prevalence and Factors Associated with HIV Infection among Teenage Mothers Delivered at Mulago Hospital—A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: HIV infection during pregnancy is still a grave problem, especially in developing countries; this is especially true for teenage pregnancy. We here attempted to determine the prevalence of HIV among teenage mothers and the factors associated with acquiring HIV infection amongst them. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary institute in Uganda from November 2016 to January 2017. We interviewed a total of 395 teenage pregnant women. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were made, with the results presented by odds ratios (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Of 395, 34 (8.6%) were HIV positive. Of the 34, ten were born when infected and 4 had HIV following defilement. All the mothers were on anti-HIV treatment at the time of the study. The factors associated with HIV infection were: age (AOR = 2.8, CI = 1.50 - 5.33), age at sexual debut (0.6, 0.43 - 0.94), the age difference between couples (1.1, 1.02 - 1.18), and living in a polygamous relationship (10, 2.56 - 17.85). Conclusion: High percentage of teenage pregnant women showed HIV positive. Age of the mother, age at sexual debut, the age difference between the couple, and living in a polygamous relationship was associated with HIV infection in this fraction.