Survey of human immunodeficiency virus infection among pregnant women in England and Wales: 1990-93.

A. Nicoll*, E. Hutchinson, K. Soldan, C. McGarrigle, J. V. Parry, J. Newham, A. Mahoney, S. Nicholas, J. Heptonstall, O. N. Gill

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We report on the first four years (1990-93) of a survey within the national HIV prevalence monitoring programme. The survey's objective is to monitor the prevalence of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in pregnant women in London and elsewhere in England. The survey--based in forty centres that offer antenatal care in London, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, and adjacent non-metropolitan areas--uses repeated cross sectional serosurveillance for anti-HIV-1 and 2 and the unlinked anonymous test method on blood left over from specimens collected for antenatal screening for immunity to rubella. The seroprevalence of HIV-1 ranged from 0.007% (1 in 14,530) in non-metropolitan areas, to 0.011% (1 in 8790) in metropolitan areas outside London, and 0.23% (1 in 440) in London. Evidence of HIV-2 infection was found in only four specimens, in London (1 in 50,300). The seroprevalence of HIV-1 in London varied more than tenfold between centres, from 0.03% (1 in 3190) to 0.51% (1 in 200). The highest prevalence of infection was in London in women aged between 20 and 30 (0.30%; 1 in 335). The seroprevalence in London centres rose from 0.18% in 1990 (1 in 560) to 0.26% in 1993 (1 in 390) and the rise was significant in all age groups. If voluntary confidential HIV testing (with counselling) among pregnant women in England were to be promoted, its cost effectiveness would be greater if focused on particular centres that provide antenatal care in London.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)R115-120
JournalCommunicable disease report. CDR review
Volume4
Issue number10
Publication statusPublished - 16 Sept 1994

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