Prevalence of sexually transmitted  infections in pregnant women attending  antenatal clinic in a predominantly rural  area in Haryana

Dr. Megha Maheshwari; Dr. Priti Agarwal; L. Sumitra Devi

Volume : II, Issue : XI, November - 2013

Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in a predominantly rural area in Haryana

Dr. Megha Maheshwari, Dr. Priti Agarwal, L. Sumitra Devi

Abstract :

This is a prospective study to determine the prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus apparently healthy asymptomatic pregnant women who were attending the antenatal clinic. The information regarding their socio–demographic status and behavioral characteristics and obstetric history was recorded. The blood samples was collected after obtaining informed written consent from the patients, who were tested for the HIV antibodies (as per NACO guidelines), HBsAg (rapid test) and anti HCV antibodies (rapid test). The overall prevalence of the three sexually transmitted infections studied was 1.15 % only with the highest prevalence of hepatitis B virus (0.7 %), followed by HIV (0.2 %), and hepatitis C virus (0.25 %). No woman tested positive for multiple infections. All the infections were more common in illiterate and multigravida women of low socioeconomic status