Prevalence of HIV Infection in Pregnant Women Attending Ante Natal Care at Lugbe Clinic, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory: A 3-Year Retrospective Study

Abstract

This is a 3-year (2019 -2021) retrospective study of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in pregnant women attending Lugbe clinic for ante natal care. Of the 4, 023 pregnant women that attended the clinic for Anti Natal Care (ANC) during this period, 3818 that have complete information in their files were enlisted for the study. Overall prevalence of HIV in the pregnant women was 2.7% (102/3818). Yearly prevalence of 1.6% (21/1329), 3.0% (36/1196) and 3.5% (45/1293) in 2019, 2020 and 2021 respectively were obtained. There was no statistical significance (p>0.05) in the prevalence of HIV among pregnant women in the period under study. The highest prevalence rate of 38.2% was observed in the age category of 29–33 years. Monthly trend analysis of the prevalence showed infection was highest in July, 2020. Pregnant women with secondary school level of education had the highest prevalence, 4.4% (20/454). This study revealed that divorcees had the highest prevalence of 3.5% (43/1243). There was no significant (p>0.05) difference in the infection rate of 2.7% (57/2109) with primigravids compared to multigravida 2.6% (45/1709). This result further showed that pregnant women in polygamous marriages had higher prevalence of HIV infection, 3.5% (56/1596) compared to monogamous ones, 2.1% (46/2222). Differences in employment status of the subjects under study revealed that unemployed pregnant women had higher prevalence of HIV, 3.3% (60/1979) than those employed, 2.1% (42/1979). The increased prevalence of HIV in pregnant women in this study is an indication of declining impact of campaign against the scourge of HIV especially in FCT. There is therefore need for a change in the strategy to minimize or stop the spread of this disease.