Seroprevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Patients with Ectopic Pregnancies

Abstract

Objective : To determine the prevalence and risk factors of human immuno deficiency virus (HIV) infection in a population of patients with ectopic pregnancies.

Design : Retrospective anonymous survey of clinical data and anonymous screening of HIV antibody by an indirect enzyme-linked immunoabsor bent assay (ELTSA, Abbott^®) in stored sera. Positive sera were further tested by another indirect ELISA (Vironostika) before proceeding to Western blot assay. Statistical analyses were performed using Student's t-test and Chi-square test when appropriate. Prognostic factors were studied in a stepwise logistic regression model. The results were considered significant at a value of P < 0.05.

Setting : Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology in a university tertiary care center

Participants : Based on availability of stored frozen sera. The study population included 210 out of 262 consecutively diagnosed ectopic pregnancies between January 1, 1990 and November 30, 1992.

Results : Out of the 210 sera tested, 10 were found positive for HIV antibody. Stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that age, number of sexual partners and history of infertility were significant predicting factors for HIV status.

Conclusion : The relatively high HIV seroprevalence of 4.3%, with a 90% confidence interval between 2-6.6% suggests that HIV counselling and education should be offered to all such patients. An alternative way is to screen patients with a history of infertility and/or those with 2 2 sexual partners, which will detect 89% of cases and yet reduce the cost of routine testing by >50% (Thai J Obstet Gynaecol 1995;7:123-129)