International Journal of Contemporary Medicine

HIV seroprevalence estimation in a low risk population such as pregnant women provides essential information for monitoring trend of HIV in general population and assist in prevention from mother to child transmission. Very few studies are available from Bihar showing the current trend in HIV prevalence in the antenatal population;which led us to carry out this study at a tertiary care hospital of East Bihar i.e. Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College and Hospital.

This study was conducted at JLN Medical College and Hospital, Bihar, India between August 2015 to January 2016 which includes 1000 pregnant women who attended antenatal clinic. Blood sample was collected after pretest counselling and informed consent, tested for HIV antibodies as per NACO guidelines. First ELISA was done for antibody detection. If initial result was positive, it was confirmed by two other supplemental tests.

Out of 1000 pregnant women, 5 were found to be HIV-positive with seroprevalence rate of 0.5%. Majority of seropositive women (80%) were in the age group of 20–30 Years. 20% were in 15–19 years of age. Out of 5 HIV seropositives 1 (20%) was illiterate, were as 4(80%) were educated.Parity-wise 3(60%) were of G2 gravida while 1(20%) was G1 and another 1(20%) G3. 3(60%) out of 5 HIV positives belonged to rural area while 2(40%) were from urban area. Majority of HIV positive women's husband were migrants (60%) followed by truckers.

This study shows 0.5% of HIV prevalence in antenatal women which is significant even though our study population is not representative of whole India because it is a hospital based study with limited sample size. It emphasises the need of proper antenatal screening, interventions and preventive strategies during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding to bring down the mother to child transmission of HIV. Mother to child transmission of HIV infection during pregnancy, delivery or breast feeding is responsible for more than 90% of pediatrics AIDS.