Hepatitis B virus, human immunodeficiency virus type-1 and syphilis among women attending prenatal clinics in Belize, Central America
Am J Trop Med Hyg
; 56(3): 285-90, Mar. 1997.
Article
in English
| MedCarib
| ID: med-2043
Responsible library:
JM3.1
Localization: JM3.1; RC960.A42
ABSTRACT
Women and their infants may benefit from therapeutic interventions when hepatitis B, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or syphilis are detected during the prenatal period. We initiated hepatitis B and HIV screening of women attending prenatal clinics in Belize. Risk factor assessment information for hepatitis B infection and demographic data were determined by interview. Of 543 evaluable women, 81 (14.9 percent) were seropositive for hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc); one woman had asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigenemia. Antibodies to HIV-1 were detected in one woman. Reactive syphilis serologies were detected in 15 (2.8 percent) women. Anti-HBc seroprevalence varied by district (range 3.1-43.5 percent) and ethnicity (range 0.0-40.9 percent). Significant identified risks for anti-HBc seropositivity from univariate analyses included being of the Garifuna ethnic group, residence or birth in the Stann Creek or Toledo districts, a reactive syphilis serology, a household size of eight or greater, and five or more lifetime sexual partners. Multivariate analyses identified ethnicity and a reactive rapid plasma reagin as the best predictors of anti-HBc seropositivity. Highly variable differences in anti-HBc prevalence by district may permit the targeting of limited public health resources for education, screening, and prevention programs.(AU)
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Collection:
International databases
Health context:
SDG3 - Health and Well-Being
/
SDG3 - Target 3.1 Reduce Maternal Mortality
Health problem:
Target 3.3: End transmission of communicable diseases
/
Maternal Care
Database:
MedCarib
Main subject:
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
/
Syphilis
/
HIV Infections
/
HIV-1
/
Hepatitis B
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Etiology study
/
Observational study
/
Prevalence study
/
Prognostic study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Central America
/
Belize
/
English Caribbean
Language:
English
Journal:
Am J Trop Med Hyg
Year:
1997
Document type:
Article