Trends of HIV-1 and HIV-2 prevalence among pregnant women in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa: possible effect of the civil war 1998-1999.
Author
Summary, in English
Objectives: Sentinel surveys in Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau, have shown low prevalence of HIV-1 but high HIV-2 prevalence before 1998. Guinea-Bissau experienced a civil war in 1998-1999. To examine specifically the trends of HIV prevalence from antenatal surveys in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau in 1987-2004, and whether the civil war in 1998-1999 could have an effect on HIV prevalence levels after the conflict. Methods: Since 1987, anonymous HIV testing in delivering women has been performed at the maternity clinic, Simao Mendes National Hospital, Bissau, as part of the national sentinel surveillance programme. Consecutive sampling was performed for approximately 3 months between September and December each year. Serological analyses were performed at the National Public Health Laboratory in Guinea-Bissau. Results: A total of 20 422 women were tested for HIV between 1987 and 2004. The total HIV-1 prevalence increased from 0.0% in 1987 to 4.8% in 2004 and the total HIV-2 prevalence decreased from 8.3% in 1987 to 2.5% in 2004. The HIV-1 prevalence increased from 2.5% in 1997 to 5.2% in 1999, but stabilized in subsequent years. Conclusions: There was a significant increase in HIV-1 prevalence in the years 1987-2004 and a significant decline in HIV-2 prevalence over the same period. The civil war in 1998-1999 may have sparked HIV-1 transmission, as HIV-1 prevalence more than doubled between 1997 and 1999, but there is no evidence of a long-term effect on the trends of HIV-1 or HIV-2 prevalence.
Department/s
- Infectious Diseases Research Unit
- Division of Medical Microbiology
- Infection Medicine (BMC)
Publishing year
2007
Language
English
Pages
463-467
Publication/Series
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Volume
83
Issue
6
Full text
- Available as PDF - 251 kB
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Document type
Journal article
Publisher
BMJ Publishing Group
Topic
- Dermatology and Venereal Diseases
Status
Published
Research group
- Infectious Diseases Research Unit
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1368-4973