Changing trend in Seroprevalence of HIV -1 among antenatal mothers attending tertiary care hospital, Coimbatore

INTRODUCTIONHuman immunodeficiency virus is increasing at an alarming rate globally. The commonest route of infection in children less than 15 years is mother to child transmission which accounts for more than 90percent. Since definitive cure from HIV is far from reach prevention by timely screening of pregnant women and short course chemotherapy for antenatal mother and newborn is possible.OBJECTIVETo assess the changing trend of prevalence of HIV1 infection among the antenatal mothers attending the PPTCT centre in our hospital for a period of three years.Materials and methodsThis retrospective study involves 9199 registered antenatal mothers who were referred from antenatal OPD of our hospital to the PPTCT centre during a period of three years from January 2010 to December 2012. Pretest counseling was given and informed consent obtained from the mothers. HIV screening was done for all as per NACO guideline. Post-test counseling ART referral and CD4 count were done accordingly. Antiretroviral therapy with Nevirapine was given to seropositive AN mothers and their babies.ResultsOut of 9199 antenatal mothers screened 41 were found to be HIV positive with a Seroprevalence rate of 0.4percent. The prevalence rate of HIV during 2010, 2011 and 2012 were 0.76 percent 0.30 percent and 0.29 percent respectively. During the follow up of the babies, one baby was found to be positive for HIV 1 infection. ConclusionThe seroprevalence was low and there is a declining trend of prevalence of HIV 1 infection during the study period. Antenatal screening for HIV through PPTCT is essential to prevent the epidemic of pediatric HIV.