Prevalence of Syphilis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care Clinic In Jinka General Hospital, Southern Ethiopia from 2015-2017.A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Sexually transmitted infections are a major public health issue. Syphilis and HIV are the leading STIs highly prevalent in sub-Saharan African countries including Ethiopia, which can have a critical impact on reproductive, maternal, and newborn health such as stillbirth. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the seroprevalence of syphilis and HIV among pregnant women who attended antenatal care clinics in Jinka General Hospital, South Omo, Ethiopia. A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out in Jinka General Hospital from 2015 to 2017. Data were obtained from individual charts and laboratory logbooks using a structured checklist. Statistical package for social sciences version 21 was used to analyze the data. Finally, the results were presented in text, tables, and graphs. A total of 1712 pregnant women attended antenatal care clinics between 2015 and 2017. The seroprevalence of syphilis and HIV were found to be 18 (1.05%) and 70(4.0%) respectively. Most of the syphilis seropositive cases were observed among married pregnantwomen 13(72.22%) in the age group of 20-30 14(77.78%). Syphilis and HIV co-infection was found in 14 (0.82%) subjects. The trend of syphilis infection peaked from 0.41% in 2015 to 1.48% in 2016 but declined to 1.16% in 2017. A downward trend has been observed in the case of HIV infection, wherethe prevalence rate fell steeply from 5.9% in 2015 to 1.46% in 2017. The seroprevalence of HIV and syphilis among pregnant women showed slightly high, which needs due attention with special consideration for active childbearing age women.