Seroprevalence of HIV / AIDS in pregnant women from the city of Chinandega - Nicaragua

Abstract

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Nicaragua shows a trend toward feminization, with vertical transmission increasing from 2.4% in 2001 to 5% in 2007. In mother-to-child transmission, there is a 35% chance that a mother who is a carrier or has AIDS will transmit the virus to her child. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with the objective of determining the seroprevalence of HIV/AIDS among 1,410 pregnant women who attended health posts and centers in the municipality of Chinandega during the period from December 2006 to November 2007. Among the results, the most frequent ages were 15–24 years old, predominantly from urban areas, living with a partner, with low levels of education, and mostly housewives. Of these women, 54% initiated sexual activity between the ages of 12 and 16, and 70% had never used a condom. The seroprevalence found was 0.35% (5 out of 1,410). The most affected area was Roberto González with 1.0% (2 out of 200). The second most affected area was Villa 15 de Julio with a seroprevalence of 0.70% (2 out of 284), and in third place was the Roberto Cortez area with a seroprevalence of 0.19% (1 out of 510).