Syphilis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Co-infection among Pregnant Women in Nigeria: Prevalence and Trend

Abstract

Pregnant women are at increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) due to physiological changes that accompany pregnancy, such as congestion of the cervix, edema of the vaginal mucosa, and alterations in the vaginal flora. Syphilis and HIV are both transmitted sexually and so it is not surprise that a substantial number of people are infected with both agents. The rate of HIV and syphilis co-infection varies depending on the prevalence of both infections in the community or the patient group being studied, along with individual risk factors. 1913 apparently healthy pregnant women were recruited for the study after obtained their consent. Detection of HIV p24 antigen and antibodies to HIV1/2 was screened for using BIO-RAD in-vitro diagnostic enzyme immunoassay; syphilis was screen for using DIA-PRO in-vitro diagnostic Bio-probes enzyme immunoassay for the determination of antibodies to Treponema pallidum. Age group 26-30 had highest prevalence of HIV and VDRL in the study years, a decreasing trend was observed in the prevalence of HIV and syphilis infection within the study years. Sero-prevalence of HIV and VDRL were 63(3.29%) and 03(0.16%) respectively. The prevalence of HIV and VDRL co-infection was 01(0.05%) observed in age group 26-30. This present study clearly documents a relatively declined in sero-prevalence of HIV and VDRL within the consecutive three years of study, this reflects the level of HIV and VDRL in the general population.