Abstract
BackgroundHIV and HBV infections remain responsible for high rate of morbidity and mortality in many African Countries, affecting women and newborns. This study aims to analyze the spatial pattern of HIV and HBV infections in pregnant women in Luanda, Angola, and the statistical association between HIV and HBV and socio-economic characteristics, hygiene, and health status.MethodsDetection of anti-HIV antibodies (total anti-HIV-1, anti-HIV-2 and HIV-1 p24 antigen) and Hepatitis B antigens (HBsAg, HBeAg) and antibodies (anti-HBc Total II, HBc IgM, Anti-HBsT II) was performed by Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA) in serum samples of 878 pregnant women attended at the Lucrecia Paim Maternity Hospital (LPMH). Data were collected by questionnaire after written consent, and spatial distribution was assessed through a Kernel Density Function. The potential risk factors associated with HIV HBV infection were evaluated using bivariate and multivariate binomial logistic regression analysis.ResultsAnti-HIV antibodies were positive in 118 samples (13.4%) and HBV infection were positive in 226 (25.7%). The seroprevalence of HIV/HBV coinfection was of 6.3%. The results showed that the seroprevalence of HBV was similar in most municipalities: 25.8% in Belas; 26.6% in Viana; 27.6% in Luanda; 19.2% in Cacuaco; and 15.6% Cazenga. For HIV, the seroprevalence was also close ranges among the municipalities: 10.0% in Belas; 14.5% in Viana 14.9% in Luanda and 12.5% in Cazenga. However, the seroprevalence in municipality of in Cacuaco was lower (5.8%) and bivariate and multivariate analysis showed a lower risk for HIV in this area (OR 0.348, CI 0.083–0.986; OR 0.359, CI 0.085–1.021). The multivariate analysis had also showed a significant increased risk for HIV in women with 2 or 3 births (OR 1.860, CI 1.054–3.372).ConclusionsOur results underlined the need to improve the screening and clinical follow-up of HIV and HBV in Angola, as well the educational campaigns to prevent not only the morbidity and mortality associated with these diseases, but also their transmission, mainly in women in reproductive age and pregnant, encouraging the pre-natal consultations in order to avoid mother-to-child transmission.
Highlights
Infectious diseases alter women’s health and may negatively influence their reproductive function, which is why they continue to be a public health concern, especially in developing countries [1, 2]
Almost 2.7 million people have been co-infected with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Sub-Saharan Africa is the epicenter of many infectious diseases, including HIV and HBV [5, 17, 18]
Seroprevalence and Sociodemographic characteristics Between August 2016 and May 2017, a total of 878 pregnant women were tested for anti-HIV antibodies and Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)
Summary
Infectious diseases alter women’s health and may negatively influence their reproductive function, which is why they continue to be a public health concern, especially in developing countries [1, 2]. In Africa, HIV infection rates in pregnant women range from 15 to 40% with the highest global HIV prevalence in women of reproductive age, representing more than 55% of adults infected with the virus [7]. According to the Global Hepatitis Report [3] it was estimated that 257 million people (3.5%) lived with chronic HBV infection worldwide. Almost 2.7 million people have been co-infected with HBV and HIV and Sub-Saharan Africa is the epicenter of many infectious diseases, including HIV and HBV [5, 17, 18]. HIV and HBV infections remain responsible for high rate of morbidity and mortality in many African Countries, affecting women and newborns. This study aims to analyze the spatial pattern of HIV and HBV infections in pregnant women in Luanda, Angola, and the statistical association between HIV and HBV and socio-economic characteristics, hygiene, and health status
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