Journal article

Socio-demographic characteristics associated with HIV and syphilis seroreactivity among pregnant women in Blantyre, Malawi, 2000-2004

Jesse J Kwiek, Victor Mwapasa, Alisa P Alker, Adamson S Muula, Humphreys E Misiri, Malcolm E Molyneux, Stephen J Rogerson, Frieda M Behets, Steven R Meshnick

MALAWI MEDICAL JOURNAL | MED COLL MALAWI | Published : 2008

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate socio-demographic factors associated with HIV and syphilis seroreactivity in pregnant Malawians presenting for antenatal care in late third trimester of pregnancy. METHODS: Between December 2000 and March 2004 at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital Blantyre, Malawi, we collected cross-sectional clinical and socioeconomic data from consenting women. HIV-1 status was determined using rapid HIV antibody tests and syphilis seroreactivity was determined using Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) and confirmed with Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay (TPHA). RESULTS: Of 3,824 women screened for HIV, 1156 (30%) were HIV seropositive and 198 (5%) were RPR and TPHA seroreacti..

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