Syphilis and HIV-1 among parturient women in Salvador, Brazil: low prevalence of syphilis and high rate of loss to follow-up in HIV-infected women

AbstractBackgroundThe occurrence of syphilis and HIV-1 infections during pregnancy are major risks to the fetus due to mother-to-child transmission (MTCT).ObjectivesTo determine peripartum seroprevalence and risk factors of syphilis and HIV-1 infection among pregnant women in Salvador, Brazil, and the rate of HIV-1 MTCT.MethodsCross-sectional study of pregnant women who were admitted for delivery in a reference maternity hospital between May 2008 and March 2009 was conducted. Women were screened for HIV-1 infection and syphilis, and interviewed regarding demographic, behavioral and obstetric data. Newborns to HIV-infected mothers were tested by b-DNA and DNA-PCR to detect HIV-1.ResultsA total 3300/8516 women were evaluated. Mean age was 25.8±7.3 years. HIV-1 and syphilis seroprevalence rates were 0.84% (28/3300) and 0.51% (17/3300), respectively. HIV-1 infection was associated with: low education (p=0.04), having a partner with known HIV infection (p<0.0001) or with previous sexually transmitted infection (p<0.0001), blood transfusion (p=0.003), or accidental exposure to blood (p=0.003). Syphilis was associated with being Caucasian (p=0.02), having no steady partner (p=0.02), being a housewife (p=0.01), having an intravenous drug user (IVDU) sexual partner (p=0.04) or a sexual partner with previous STI (p