OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to describe the human immunodeficiency virus epidemic among pregnant adolescents undergoing follow-up in a large inner-city hospital. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a case-control study comparing demographic and risk behaviors of seropositive and seronegative adolescents (aged 13 to 20) identified from a population undergoing routine voluntary antibody screening at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, between July 1987 and March 1991. RESULTS: Of 10,794 pregnant adolescents screened, 51 (4.7/1000) were infected with human immunodeficiency virus. More than one fourth of case patients were < or = 17 years old. Significantly more case patients than controls reported a history of crack cocaine use (10 [19.6%] vs 23 [8.2%] p < 0.05). A majority (58.8%) of case patients reported no risk factors for infection, and the remainder (41.2%) were presumably infected by heterosexual contact. Thirty-nine controls (13.8%) had self-identified risk factors for infection. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant adolescents in our center are at risk for human immunodeficiency virus infection and should be targeted for human immunodeficiency virus education and risk reduction counseling.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to describe the human immunodeficiency virus epidemic among pregnant adolescents undergoing follow-up in a large inner-city hospital. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a case-control study comparing demographic and risk behaviors of seropositive and seronegative adolescents (aged 13 to 20) identified from a population undergoing routine voluntary antibody screening at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, between July 1987 and March 1991. RESULTS: Of 10,794 pregnant adolescents screened, 51 (4.7/1000) were infected with human immunodeficiency virus. More than one fourth of case patients were < or = 17 years old. Significantly more case patients than controls reported a history of crack cocaine use (10 [19.6%] vs 23 [8.2%] p < 0.05). A majority (58.8%) of case patients reported no risk factors for infection, and the remainder (41.2%) were presumably infected by heterosexual contact. Thirty-nine controls (13.8%) had self-identified risk factors for infection. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant adolescents in our center are at risk for human immunodeficiency virus infection and should be targeted for human immunodeficiency virus education and risk reduction counseling.
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Keywords:
Adolescent Pregnancy; Adolescents; Adolescents, Female; Age Factors; Americas; Antibodies--analysis; Behavior; Biology; Blacks--women; Cultural Background; Data Analysis; Demographic Factors; Developed Countries; Diseases; Drug Usage; Ethnic Groups; Examinations And Diagnoses; Fertility; Georgia; Hiv Infections--transmission; Immunity; Immunologic Factors; Incidence; Laboratory Examinations And Diagnoses; Measurement; North America; Northern America; Physiology; Population; Population Characteristics; Population Dynamics; Reproductive Behavior; Research Methodology; Risk Factors; Sampling Studies; Screening; Studies; Surveys; United States; Urban Population; Viral Diseases; Youth