Seroprevalence of HIV, Hepatitis B, and Syphilis Among Pregnant Women at the General Hospital, Guatemala City, 2005-2009

Background: sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening in pregnancy provides an excellent opportunity for secondary prevention.

Objective: to document the epidemiology of HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis among pregnant women at a Guatemalan national hospital.

Results: from 2004 to 2009, 118 (0.76%) of 15 563 of women tested in the prenatal clinic had HIV infection, 29 (0.22%) of 13 028 women tested had hepatitis B virus infection, and 78 (0.60%) of 13 027 had a positive test for syphilis. From August 1, 2007 through December 31, 2009, 29 482 women were tested in the obstetrical emergency room. A total of 63 were HIV positive (0.21%), 48 had hepatitis B (0.16%), and 196 had syphilis (0.66%). Of the 9196 births between August 2007 and July of 2008, 33 (0.36%) were to HIV-infected mothers.

Conclusion: these 3 STIs were uncommon in our population and did not increase in incidence during the study period. HIV maternal-to-child transmission (MTCT) prevention programs were feasible in our setting.