Seroprevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection and its association with syphilis seropositivity among antenatal clinic attenders at Debretabor Rural Hospital, Ethiopia.

Sera collected for syphilis screening from pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at Debretabor rural hospital, north west Ethiopia were tested for HIV infection with the objective of assessing HIV prevalence and the relationship between syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositivity. A total of 270 pregnant women who visited antenatal clinics from June to September, 1994 were included in the study. Socio-demographic characteristics of the women were retrieved from antenatal care cards. Sera were screened for syphilis and HIV infection by VDRL and ELISA tests respectively. Twenty nine pregnant women (10.7%) were found to be HIV positive. Those living in other villages and rural towns appeared to have a low risk (odds ratio 0.3, 95% confidence interval 0.1-0.8) of acquiring HIV infection when compared to those living in Debretabor town. Women who were seropositive for syphilis were twice as likely to be positive for HIV. Prevention of HIV transmission to women and infants is a priority health and social concern. Prevention and early recognition and treatment of syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) will be important factors in the prevention and control of HIV transmission.