Anaemia in women of reproductive age in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Anaemia is among the greatest health problems in reproductive age women in developing countries. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence of anaemia among non-pregnant parous women, and to investigate the main underlying cause for the anaemia. SETTING: A sub-urban Maternal and Child Health Clinic (MCH) in Dar es Salaam. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. METHODS: Consecutive parous non-pregnant women who had brought their children for vaccination and/or had come for family planning to Mbagala MCH clinic were invited to participate in the study. Obstetric and social history was recorded, and their height and weight were checked. Haemoglobin was measured using HemoCue hemoglobinometer. Anaemic women were further investigated to determine the cause of anaemia by haematological and biochemical tests. RESULTS: Five hundred and four parous non-pregnant women were screened, 49% were anaemic (Hb <12 g/dl) and 1.6% severely anaemic (Hb <7 g/dl). Anaemia was not related to socio-demographic and obstetric history characteristics, but decreased significantly with increasing Body Mass Index (BMI) (p=0.042). The prevalence of anaemia was significantly lower in women using hormonal contraceptives, compared to non-users (36% vs 54%) (p=0.04). Eighty-seven percent of the anaemic women were iron deficient and 8.7% had elevated serum C-reactive protein indicating undiagnosed infections. CONCLUSION: Nutritional deficiencies in women have to be corrected before and between pregnancies and all contacts women have with the health system should be utilised for anaemia control interventions, in addition to long-term community approaches. To improve maternal health calls for a broader agenda and a change of approach in the MCH-clinics.

HIV counseling and testing of pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa: experiences from a study on prevention of mother-to-child HIV-1 transmission in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The aim of this study was to determine the acceptability of HIV counseling and testing and participation in a mother-to-child HIV-1 transmission intervention study using antiretroviral therapy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, one of the sites for the Joint United Nations Program on AIDS (UNAIDS) multicenter Petra trial. HIV testing was offered to all pregnant women who visited three prenatal clinics in Dar es Salaam before 34 weeks' gestation. Group or individual pretest counseling was performed by trained midwives. Laboratory diagnosis of HIV infection was based on two sequential anti-HIV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Posttest counseling was given 2 weeks later to women who wished to know their HIV status. HIV testing was offered to a total of 10,010 pregnant women from June 1996 to May 1998, of whom 76.4% (7647 of 10,010) agreed to be tested. The prevalence of HIV-1 infection was 13.7% (1050 of 7647). Overall, 68.1% (5205 of 7647) returned for their results. Of the HIV-1-seropositive respondents, 27.4% (288 of 1050) agreed to participate in the Petra trial after fulfilling the eligibility criteria. Only 16.7% (48 of 288) of the enrolled women disclosed their positive HIV serostatus to their sexual partners. The main reasons for not disclosing the HIV serostatus were fear of stigma and divorce. Sixty percent (29 of 48) of the informed sex partners agreed to be tested for HIV and 69% (20 of 29) tested HIV seropositive. Pregnancy recurrence rate was 4.4 per 100 women years (18 pregnancies during 408 women years of follow-up) with 10 of 18 (55.6%) women not wanting to carry the pregnancy to term. In conclusion, this information is useful in planning intervention programs for prevention of mother-to-child HIV-1 transmission and it shows that improvements are required in counseling.

Determinants of low birth weight among HIV-infected pregnant women in Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Low birth weight (LBW) increases the risk of infant death, but little is known about its causes among HIV-infected populations in sub-Saharan Africa. OBJECTIVE: We assessed sociodemographic, nutritional, immunologic, parasitic, and infant risk factors for birth weight, LBW, and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) status in a cohort of 822 HIV-positive women enrolled in a clinical trial of vitamin supplementation and pregnancy outcomes in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. DESIGN: Women were enrolled at prenatal care clinics during their second trimester, at which time blood, stool, urine, and genital specimens were collected, and anthropometric measurements and sociodemographic data were recorded. Birth weight was measured at hospital delivery. RESULTS: The mean (+/-SD) birth weight was 3015 +/- 508 g, 11.1% of newborns weighed <2500 g (LBW), and 11.5% were SGA. In multivariate analyses, maternal weight at enrollment and a low CD8 cell count were inversely associated with LBW. Advanced-stage HIV disease, previous history of preterm birth, Plasmodium falciparum malaria, and any helmintic infection were associated with higher risk of LBW. The intestinal parasites Entamoeba histolytica and Strongyloides stercoralis were predictors of LBW despite their low prevalence in the cohort. In a multivariate-adjusted linear regression model, BMI, midupper arm circumference, a CD4 cell count <200 x 10(6) cells/L (200 cells/mm(3)), primiparity, maternal literacy, and infant HIV infection at birth were significantly associated with birth weight in addition to risk factors included in the LBW model. Determinants of SGA included maternal weight, low serum vitamin E concentration, candidiasis, malaria, and infant HIV infection at birth. CONCLUSION: Prevention of HIV disease progression and vertical transmission, improved nutritional status, and better management of malaria and intestinal parasitic infections are likely to reduce the incidence of LBW in Tanzania.

Predictors of intrauterine and intrapartum transmission of HIV-1 among Tanzanian women.

OBJECTIVE: To examine predictors of vertical transmission of HIV-1 in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. DESIGN: Observational design. METHODS: Consenting HIV-1-infected pregnant women (n = 1078) were enrolled in a trial to examine the role of vitamin supplements. Intrauterine HIV-1 infection (HIV-positive at birth); intrapartum and early breastfeeding transmission (HIV-positive at 6 weeks among those uninfected at birth) were defined using the PCR. RESULTS: Of 734 infants who had a specimen taken at birth, 62 were HIV positive [8.4%; 95% confidence interval (CI),6.4--10.5%], whereas 59 infants were positive among 367 infants who were uninfected at birth and were retested at 6 weeks (16.1%; 95%CI, 12.3--19.8%). In multivariate analyses, maternal CD4 cell count, viral load, and clinical stage were significant predictors of both definitions of transmission. Viral load of 50 000 copies/ml or more at delivery was associated with a 4.21-fold increase in risk of intrapartum and early breastfeeding transmission (95%CI, 1.59--11.13;P = 0.004). Babies who were HIV negative at birth and born before 34 weeks of gestation were 2.19 times more likely to become infected during intrapartum and early breastfeeding periods compared with those born after 37 weeks (95%CI, 1.19--4.04; P = 0.01). Gonorrhea at baseline was related to intrauterine transmission [multivariate risk ratio (RR), 5.50; 95%CI, 2.04--14.81; P < 0.001] but not intrapartum and early breastfeeding transmission. Signs of lower genital infections at or after enrollment were also associated with transmission. CONCLUSIONS: Reducing prematurity, rate of HIV disease progression, and maternal viral load at or after delivery could help to reduce vertical transmission. Treatment of sexually transmitted infections at onset of prenatal care, about 20 weeks on average, was inadequate for prevention of transmission. Whether sustained clearance of lower genital tract infections result in reduced transmission remains to be determined.

The problem of illegally induced abortion: results from a hospital-based study conducted at district level in Dar es Salaam.

Illegal abortion is known to be a major contributor to maternal mortality. The objective of the study was firstly to identify women with illegally induced abortion, (IA) and to compare them with women admitted with a spontaneous abortion (SA) or receiving antenatal care (AC), and secondly to describe the circumstances which characterized the abortion. The population of this cross-sectional questionnaire study comprised patients from Temeke District Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. After an in-depth confidential interview, 603 women with incomplete abortion were divided into two groups: 362 women with IA and 241 with SA. They were compared with 307 AC women. IA women were significantly younger, more often better educated, unmarried, nulliparous and students than AC women. Regarding civil-status, educational level, proportion of nullipara and proportion of students, SA patients were similar to AC women. These results lend support to the assumption that the in-depth confidential interview made it possible to distinguish IA women from SA women.

Nutritional factors and infectious disease contribute to anemia among pregnant women with human immunodeficiency virus in Tanzania.

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to identify risk factors for anemia among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive pregnant women in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Baseline data from 1064 women enrolled in a clinical trial on the effect of vitamin supplementation in HIV infection were examined to identify potential determinants of anemia. The mean hemoglobin (Hb) level was 94 g/L, and the prevalence of severe anemia (Hb < 85 g/L) was 28%; 83% of the women had Hb < 110 g/L. Iron deficiency and infectious disease appeared to be the predominant causes of anemia. Significant independent associations with severe anemia were observed for women with body mass index (BMI) < 19 kg/m(2) compared with women with BMI > 24 kg/m(2) [odds ratio (OR) 3.13, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1. 37-7.14); malaria parasite densities > 1000/mm(3) (OR 2.70, CI: 1. 58-4.61) compared with women with no parasites; eating soil during early pregnancy (OR 2.47, CI: 1.66-3.69); CD4+ cell count < 200/microL compared with CD4+ count > 500/microL (OR 2.70, CI: 1. 42-5.12); and serum retinol levels < 70 micromol/L (OR 2.45, CI: 1. 44-4.17) compared with women with retinol levels > 1.05 micromol/L. The most significant risk factors associated with severe anemia in this population are preventable. Public health recommendations include increasing the effectiveness of iron supplementation and malaria management during pregnancy, and providing health education messages that increase awareness of the potentially adverse nutritional consequences of eating soil during pregnancy.

Self-reports of induced abortion: an empathetic setting can improve the quality of data.

OBJECTIVES: This study estimated the proportion of incomplete abortions that are induced in hospital-based settings in Tanzania. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted in 2 phases at 3 hospitals in Tanzania. Phase 1 included 302 patients with a diagnosis of incomplete abortion, and phase 2 included 823 such patients. RESULTS: In phase 1, in which cases were classified by clinical criteria and information from the patient, 3.9% to 16.1% of the cases were classified as induced abortion. In phase 2, in which the structured interview was changed to an empathetic dialogue and previously used clinical criteria were omitted, 30.9% to 60.0% of the cases were classified as induced abortion. CONCLUSIONS: An empathetic dialogue improves the quality of data collected among women with induced abortion.

Randomized trial of vitamin supplements in relation to vertical transmission of HIV-1 in Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Observational studies suggest that poor nutritional status among HIV-infected pregnant women is associated with a higher risk of vertical transmission of HIV. METHODS: We randomized 1083 pregnant women infected with HIV-1 in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to examine the effects of supplements of vitamin A and/or multivitamins (excluding vitamin A) using a 2-x-2 factorial design. We report the effects of the supplements on HIV infection defined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or death up to 6 weeks postpartum. RESULTS: Of babies in the multivitamin arm 38, (10.1%) were HIV-positive at birth compared with 24 (6.6%) in the no-multivitamin arm (relative risk [RR] = 1.54; 95% CI, 0.94-2.51; p = .08). Of babies born to mothers in the vitamin A arm, 38 (10.0%) were HIV-positive at birth compared with 24 (6.7%) in the no-vitamin A arm (RR, 1.49; 95% CI, 0.91-2.43; p = 0.11). Neither multivitamins nor vitamin A had an effect on HIV status at 6 weeks among those who were HIV-negative at birth (RR = 1.04; 95% CI, 0.65-1.66; p = 0.88) and (RR = 1.30; 95% CI, 0.80-2.09; p = .29, respectively). Similarly, neither supplement was associated with being either HIV-infected or dead at birth (RR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.76-1.27; p = .89 and RR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.78-1.31; p = .95, respectively. A beneficial effect of multivitamins on birth weight was limited to babies who were HIV-negative at birth; babies in the multivitamin arm weighed +94 g more compared with those in the no-multivitamin arm (p = .02). Among babies who were HIV-positive at birth, the corresponding difference was -31 g (p = .82). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin A and multivitamins did not affect the risk of vertical transmission of HIV in utero nor during the intrapartum and early breastfeeding periods. Multivitamins resulted in a significant improvement in birth weight of babies who were HIV-negative at birth but had no effect among those who were HIV-positive. The effect of vitamin supplements on HIV transmission through breastfeeding and on clinical progression of HIV disease is yet to be ascertained.

Introduction of the Misgav Ladach caesarean section at an African tertiary centre: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the Misgav Ladach caesarean section technique can offer benefits compared with conventional caesarean section technique in the prevailing conditions of a busy African tertiary centre. DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial. SETTING: A tertiary African obstetric unit with 18,000 deliveries annually. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred and thirty-nine women undergoing caesarean section. METHODS: Eight residents and registrars were instructed in the Misgav Ladach technique for caesarean section during one week, after which the study commenced. The course participants instructed their colleagues; in total, 16 doctors participated. Women requiring caesarean section were randomised to Misgav Ladach or to the conventional lower midline incision procedure, excluding those with a previous scar. RESULTS: During 11 weeks 339 randomised procedures (328 of which were emergency procedures) were carried out. Mean operating time was 25 x 3 minutes for Misgav Ladach and 32 x 6 minutes for the lower midline incision procedure (95% CI -8 x 3; -6 x 3). Mean blood loss was 354 mL and 447 mL (-133; -53), and the number of sutures 3 x 1 and 6 x 1 (-3 x 1; -2 x 9), respectively. No significant difference was found in Apgar scores. Mobilisation was earlier with the Misgav Ladach procedure. No difference was found in overall post-operative infection rates i.e. wound infection or febrile illness, but the combination of wound infection and fever was more common in the Misgav Ladach group. CONCLUSION: The Misgav Ladach caesarean section confers benefits such as reduced blood loss, conservation of time and suture material, and rapid mobilisation, but more studies are needed to explore modifications aimed at reducing post-operative infections in settings with limited resources.

Effectiveness of primary level antenatal care in decreasing anemia at term in Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: In Tanzania the prevalence of anemia in pregnancy is high inspite of a high antenatal attendance and an established national policy of routine hematinic supplementation and malaria chemosuppression to all pregnant women, free of cost in all antenatal clinics. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of reinforcing existing antenatal clinic routines for prevention and treatment of anemia in pregnancy, combined with individual and community health education. METHODS: A prospective controlled intervention study in two antenatal clinics at primary level. At booking (median 24 weeks), 1045 women were screened for anemia and followed-up to late pregnancy (gestational age > or =34 weeks). In addition to hematinic and malaria prophylaxis, extra interventions at the study clinic included retraining of staff, group and individual counselling of women and community health education in the area. RESULTS: There was a significant overall increase in median Hb from 10.1 g/dl at booking to 10.6 g/dl in late pregnancy, and prevalence of anemia (Hb < or =10.5 g/dl) was reduced from 60% at booking to 47%, at both clinics, with 57% reduction in the proportion with severe anemia (Hb <7.0 g/dl). Severely anemic women increased their median Hb by 3.2 g/dl during antenatal care. No additional effect was observed from an individual and community information program. CONCLUSION: Ensuring an adequate supply of drugs seems to be the most important activity to achieve safe hemoglobin levels in pregnant women, but even an active antenatal program has a limited effect when anemia is highly prevalent and booking is late.

PIP: This study assesses the effectiveness of primary level antenatal care in decreasing anemia among pregnant women in Tanzania. The sample included 1045 women screened for anemia and followed-up to late pregnancy. Extra interventions at the study clinic included retraining of staff, group and individual counseling of women, and community health education in the area. Results showed a significant overall increase in median Hb from 10.1 g/dl at booking to 10.6 g/dl in late pregnancy. Prevalence of anemia was reduced from 60% at booking to 47% at both clinics, with a 57% reduction in the proportion having severe anemia. Severely anemic women increased their median Hb by 3.2 g/dl during antenatal care. This study concludes that ensuring an adequate supply of drugs seems to be the most important activity to achieve safe hemoglobin levels in pregnant women, but even an active antenatal program has a limited effect when anemia is highly prevalent and booking is late.

The complexity of pregnancy anemia in Dar-es-Salaam.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the main causes of anemia in pregnancy in Dar-es-Salaam and identify appropriate investigations at all levels of care. MATERIALS: All pregnant women booking for antenatal care at 2 clinics (n = 2,235) were screened for anemia. Investigations for etiology of anemia were done in all anemic women (Hb <10.5 g/dl) (n = 361). METHODS: Blood cell counts, microscopy of blood films, S-ferritin, C-reactive protein, HIV, stool parasite and bone marrow analysis were performed. RESULTS: Iron deficiency dominated in 86% and malaria in 1/3 of anemia cases. Since 42% had indication of ongoing inflammation, S-ferritin was less useful as indicator of iron deficiency but blood film microscopy identified most cases.

Rationale and design of the Tanzania Vitamin and HIV Infection Trial.

We present the rationale and design of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of vitamin supplements among HIV-positive pregnant women in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Higher levels of intake of vitamins A, B, C, and E may decrease the risk of vertical transmission and progression of HIV infection by enhancing maternal and infant immune function; by reducing viral load in the blood, breast milk, or lower genital tract secretions; and/or by strengthening the placental barrier to infection. Eligible pregnant women were randomized to receive vitamin A, multivitamins excluding A, vitamin A and multivitamins, or placebo. The main endpoints include vertical transmission of HIV infection, as assessed by examination of infection in infants using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and progression of HIV disease as measured by the WHO clinical staging system. Over a period of 2 years, 13,876 women were tested for HIV infection, with appropriate pre- and posttest counseling, to enroll 1085 consenting HIV-positive women. The trial assesses women and their children once a month for a minimum of 18 months after delivery or up to the end of this 5-year study. We examine recruitment strategies and means of enhancing cohort retention in long-term follow-up. We assess compliance with the use of supplements by direct questioning, by counting pills, and biochemically by using serum beta-carotene and urine riboflavin levels. Briefly, we discuss ethical issues related to the conduct of AIDS prevention trials in this setting. In sub-Saharan Africa, most HIV-infected persons lack access to the relevant antiretroviral and prophylactic drugs, and the region urgently needs low-cost treatments and preventive strategies. The Tanzania trial should provide valuable data to address the effect of vitamin supplements in the transmission and progression of HIV infection.

Sexual history and contraception among women with induced and spontaneous abortion in Dar es Salaam.

The objective of this study was to create sexual history profiles of women with illegally induced abortion (IA) and women with spontaneous abortion (SA) and describe the women's knowledge of, attitude to, and practice of contraception. The study was carried out in two settings, Temeke District Hospital (TDH) and Muhimbili Medical Centre (MMC) in Dar es Salaam. At TDH 362/603 (60 per cent) were identified as IA and 241/603 (40 per cent) as SA. At MMC the figures were 68/220 (31 per cent) IA and 152/220 (69 per cent) SA. Both groups were well informed about modern contraception. As a contrast the rate of ever users of contraception was low in both groups, although significantly lower among IA women than among SA women. Outcome of first pregnancy had been an induced abortion in significantly higher proportion of IA than of SA women. In conclusion, sexual intercourse before marriage is common in the setting studied and contraceptive use in comparatively uncommon.

Sexual History and Contraception among Women with Indused and Spontaneous Abortion in Dar es Salaam

The objective of this study was to create sexual history profiles of women with illegally induced abortion (IA) and women with spontaneous abortion (SA) and describe the women's knowledge of; attitude to; and practice of contraception. The study was carried out in two settings; Temeke District Hospital (TDH) and Muhimbili Medical Centre (MMC) in Dar es Salaam. At TDH 362/603 (60 per cent) were identified as IA and 241/603 (40 per cent) as SA. At MMC the figures were 68/220 (31 per cent) IA and 152/220 (69 per cent) SA. Both groups were well informed about modern contraception. As a contrast the rate of ever users of contraception was low in both groups; although significantly lower among IA women than among SA women. Outcome of first pregnancy had been an induced abortion in significantly higher proportion of IA than of SA women. In conclusion; sexual intercourse before marriage is common in the setting studied and contraceptive use in comparatively uncommon

Randomised trial of effects of vitamin supplements on pregnancy outcomes and T cell counts in HIV-1-infected women in Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: In HIV-1-infected women, poor micronutrient status has been associated with faster progression of HIV-1 disease and adverse birth outcomes. We assessed the effects of vitamin A and multivitamins on birth outcomes in such women. METHODS: In Tanzania, 1075 HIV-1-infected pregnant women at between 12 and 27 weeks' gestation received placebo (n=267), vitamin A (n=269), multivitamins excluding vitamin A (n=269), or multivitamins including vitamin A (n=270) in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with a 2x2 factorial design. We measured the effects of multivitamins and vitamin A on birth outcomes and counts of T lymphocyte subsets. We did analyses by intention to treat. RESULTS: 30 fetal deaths occurred among women assigned multivitamins compared with 49 among those not on multivitamins (relative risk 0.61 [95% CI 0.39-0.94] p=0.02). Multivitamin supplementation decreased the risk of low birthweight (<2500 g) by 44% (0.56 [0.38-0.82] p=0.003), severe preterm birth (<34 weeks of gestation) by 39% (0.61 [0.38-0.96] p=0.03), and small size for gestational age at birth by 43% (0.57 [0.39-0.82] p=0.002). Vitamin A supplementation had no significant effect on these variables. Multivitamins, but not vitamin A, resulted in a significant increase in CD4, CD8, and CD3 counts. INTERPRETATION: Multivitamin supplementation is a low-cost way of substantially decreasing adverse pregnancy outcomes and increasing T-cell counts in HIV-1-infected women. The clinical relevance of our findings for vertical transmission and clinical progression of HIV-1 disease is yet to be ascertained.

PIP: Poor micronutrient status has been associated, in HIV-positive women, with faster progression of HIV disease and adverse birth outcomes. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessed the effects of vitamin A and multivitamins on birth outcomes in 1075 HIV-positive pregnant women at 12-27 weeks' gestation from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. There were no differences in baseline plasma vitamin concentrations between groups. 267 women received a placebo, 269 were given vitamin A, 269 were administered a multivitamin excluding vitamin A, and 270 received a multivitamin including vitamin A. There were 30 fetal deaths in the group of women who received multivitamins (with and without vitamin A) compared with 49 among those not given multivitamins (relative risk (RR), 0.61; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.39-0.94). Multivitamin supplementation decreased the risk of low birth weight (2500 g) by 44% (RR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.38-0.82), of preterm birth (prior to 34 weeks gestation) by 39% (RR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.38-0.96), and of small size for gestational age at birth by 43% (RR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.39-0.82). Vitamin A had no significant effect on these variables. Multivitamins, but not vitamin A, were associated with significant increases in CD4, CD8, and CD3 counts. The clinical relevance of multivitamin supplementation for vertical transmission of HIV and the progression of disease remain unknown. However, these results indicate such supplementation is a low-cost means of substantially decreasing adverse pregnancy outcomes and increasing T cell counts in HIV-infected women. The observed beneficial effects of multivitamins on birth outcomes may have been mediated through improved maternal immune status.

Late postnatal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection from mothers to infants in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

OBJECTIVE: To study late postnatal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in a cohort of children born to HIV-1-seropositive mothers who delivered at Muhimbili Medical Centre in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since 1991 a prospective cohort study of mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1 has been conducted at Muhimbili Medical Centre in Dar es Salaam. HIV-1-seropositive mothers and age-matched seronegative controls were recruited into the cohort at delivery together with their newborns. Diagnosis of HIV-1 infection in children was based on polymerase chain reaction, HIV-1 p24 antigen tests and HIV antibody tests. Late postnatal transmission was defined as HIV-1 infection occurring after 6 months of age in a child who was uninfected at 6 months of age and who had an HIV-1-seropositive mother. Children born to HIV-seronegative mothers were used as controls. Breast-feeding was universal in this cohort. CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes were assayed by flow cytometry in the mothers. RESULTS: Among 139 children born to HIV-1-seropositive mothers and known to be HIV-uninfected at 6 months of age, 8 children became HIV-1-infected at the end of their first year of life or later. No conversions were observed in children younger than 11 months. The 8 conversions were observed during a follow-up covering 1555 child months between 6 and 27 months of age corresponding to a conversion rate of 6.2 per 100 child years. Among 260 children with HIV-seronegative mothers no child became HIV-infected during the follow-up. The percentage of CD4 T lymphocytes was similar in mothers with early and late transmission but was significantly lower in transmitting than in nontransmitting mothers. CONCLUSION: Because no HIV-1 infection occurred in children with HIV-seronegative mothers, we conclude that the observed infections at the end of the first year of life or later among children born to HIV-seropositive women were caused by late transmission from mother to child, most likely through breast-feeding.

Operational factors affecting maternal mortality in Tanzania.

Identification of the main operational factors in cases of maternal death within and outside the health care system is necessary for safe motherhood programmes. In this study, a follow-up was done of all 117 cases of maternal deaths in Ilala district, Dar es Salaam, 1991-1993, at all levels of care. In all, 79% received some medical care whereas 11% arrived too late for treatment. For each case the major operational factors and all health care interventions were defined through interviews with family members and health care staff and from hospital records, and the avoidability of each case was determined. In the health institutions where the women had consulted, the available resources were assessed. It was found that in most cases the husband (29%) or the mother (31%) of the woman decided on her care in cases of complications, and together with the lack of transport, this often caused delay at home. Also, delay in transfer from the district hospital was common. Cases of abortion complications were often not managed on time because of the delay in reporting to hospital or misleading information. Suboptimal care was identified in 77% of the cases reaching health care. Inadequate treatment was identified by the district health staff in 61% and by the referral centres in 12% of their cases. Wrong decision at the district level and lack of equipment at the referral centre were the main reasons for inadequate care. It is concluded that although community education on danger signs in pregnancy and labour is important, provision of the core resources and supplies for emergency obstetric interventions, as well as clear protocols for management and referral, are absolutely necessary for improvement of maternal survival.

PIP: All 117 cases of maternal deaths in Ilala district, Dar es Salaam, during 1991-93 at all levels of care were investigated to identify the principal operational factors involved. 79% of the women received some medical care, while 11% arrived too late for treatment. In most cases, the husband or the mother of the woman decided upon her care when complications arose. That decision process combined with a lack of transportation to health care facilities often resulted in the delay of departure from home. Delay in the transfer from the district hospital was also common. Complications of abortion often were not managed in a timely manner due to the delay in reporting to the hospital or the reporting of misleading information. Suboptimal care was identified in 77% of cases reaching health care, with inadequate treatment identified by the district health staff in 61% of cases and by the referral centers in 12% of their cases. Erroneous decisions made at the district level and the lack of equipment at referral centers were the main reasons for inadequate care. Community education on potential danger signs in pregnancy and labor is needed, together with the provision of the necessary resources and supplies for emergency obstetric interventions, as well as clear protocols for management and referral. Study findings are based upon the review of hospital records and interviews with family members and health care staff.

Anaemia in pregnancy: a major health problem with implications for maternal health care.

Women (n=2235) registering for antenatal care in two maternal and child health clinics in the Dar es Salaam area between June, 1991 and June 1992 had their haemoglobin (Hb) measured by use of a HaemoCuer haemoglobinometer. The prevalence of anaemia Hb<10.5 g/dl) was 60% while severe anaemia (Hb<7.0 //dl) was present in 4%. Young nullparous women, those who register for antenatal care late in the third trimester, and undernourished women constitute high risk groups also for severe anemia and require special attention. No single maternal characteristics or combination thereof was useful to identify a group of screening. The current national Hb level for referral to hospital (8.5 g/dl) identified 20% of the pregnant population. Most of these can successfully be treated and followed at the primary care level. To comply with the available means for care in the Dar es Salaam area, it is proposed that the cutoff level for referral be changed to <7g/dl. Appropriate methods to screen for anemia at primary health care (PHC) level must be explored and instituted. Training of antenatal care (ANC) providers in clinical identification of anemia and supply of haematinics must be improved and early booking for ANC promoted. Public health measures to improve the general nutrition and iron intake of all women are necessary to reduce this serious health problem in pregnancy.

High frequency of sexually transmitted diseases among pregnant women in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: need for intervention.

In order to determine the prevalence and characteristics of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in pregnant women (PW) attending a primary health care antenatal clinic (ANC) in metropolitan Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, a randomly selected sample of PW in their second or third trimesters were invited to participate at their first visit. They were interviewed using a questionnaire and underwent genital examination. Genital swabs were obtained for microscopy and/or culture isolation of Candida albicans, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Blood specimens were also obtained for serological testing for syphilis and for antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A total of 777 PW aged 14 to 40 years were seen. Parities ranged from 0 to 10. Prevalence of syphilis, trichomoniasis, gonorrhoea and HIV infection were 4.0%, 22.7%, 3.6% and 15.2%, respectively. At least one acute STD (excluding HIV infection) was found in 32.8% of the PW. The prevalence of multiple STDs (excluding HIV infection) was higher in teenagers (45.3%, 77/170) than in PW in other age groups (29.2%, 177/607) (p < 0.001). The prevalence of HIV infection in teenage PW was 10.0%. Most STDs were least prevalent in PW who were married monogamously. Of the 732 PW who had one or more genital infections (including infection with Candida species), 669 (91.4%) had one or more genital complaints. However, most of the genital complaints were not disease specific. Since this study has shown that the prevalences of acute STDs were high in PW, especially in teenagers, it is recommended that all PW in Tanzania should be screened for STDs syndromically including the use of appropriate clinical and laboratory examination whenever possible.

PIP: A survey of 777 randomly selected pregnant women attending an antenatal clinic in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in 1993 revealed a high prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), particularly among teenagers. The median age of survey respondents was 23.6 years (range, 14-40 years); 170 women (22%) were teenagers and 439 (56.7%) were married. 320 women (41.2%) had 1 or more STDs (excluding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection); in 32.7%, there was active infection. STD prevalence was 45.3% in teenagers compared with 29.2% in adults. In the overall sample, the prevalences of syphilis, trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, and HIV were 4.0%, 22.7%, 3.6%, and 15.2%, respectively. 80 women (10.3%) showed serologic evidence of past syphilis infection and 4% had active syphilis. Syphilis was most prevalent in pregnant women aged 35 years and above (13.8%), while trichomoniasis was most common in teenagers (34.3%). Of the 732 pregnant women with genital infections, 63 (8.6%) were asymptomatic; when symptoms did exist, they were generally not disease-specific. The most significant risk factor for STDs, including HIV, was single marital status. These findings suggest a need for the introduction of essential clinical and laboratory facilities for STD detection to antenatal clinics in Tanzania.

Performance of a modified HIV-1 p24 antigen assay for early diagnosis of HIV-1 infection in infants and prediction of mother-to-infant transmission of HIV-1 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The aim of this study was to determine the utility of an amplified human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) p24 antigen (ag) assay using heated plasma or serum samples for the early diagnosis of HIV-1 infection in infants and for the prediction of the risk of mother-to-infant (MTI) transmission of HIV-1 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The study included 125 samples from 76 infants positive for HIV-1 DNA by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), 106 samples from 101 PCR-negative infants and 116 and 160 samples from seropositive and seronegative mothers, respectively. Samples were boiled to dissociate immune complexes and tested for HIV-1 p24 ag using a p24 ag amplification assay. Reactive samples were confirmed by a neutralization assay. Altogether, 123 of 125 samples from 76 PCR-positive infants were positive for p24 ag (sensitivity = 98.7%). HIV-1 p24 ag was found in all 18 samples collected at 1-8 weeks, in 35 of 36 samples collected at 9-26 weeks, in all 40 samples collected at 27-52 weeks, and in 30 of 31 samples collected > 52 weeks after birth. Detection of HIV-1 p24 ag was significantly more common in transmitting mothers (12 of 29, 41.4%) than in nontransmitting mothers (nine of 87, 10.3%) (p < 0.001). Among mothers with p24 antigenemia, the vertical transmission rate was significantly higher (12 of 21, 57%) than in mothers without p24 antigenemia (17 of 95, 18%) (p < 0.001). All samples from 101 PCR-negative children and 160 seronegative mothers were negative for p24 ag (specificity = 100%). We conclude that using heated plasma or serum increases the sensitivity of the p24 ag assay significantly. This modified simple test may be sufficient for the early diagnosis of HIV-1 infection in infants in settings with limited laboratory facilities. It is also useful for prediction of the risk of MTI transmission of HIV-1.