HIV Prevalence in Pregnant Women and Vertical Transmission in According to Socioeconomic Status, Southeastern Brazil

Objective: To describe HIV prevalence in pregnant women and the rate of vertical transmission according to socioeconomic status of residential neighborhoods.

Methods: Ecological exploratory study, which used the Information System of Notifiable Diseases database on HIV-positive pregnant women and AIDS in children, reported from 2000 to 2006, in Vitória, Southeastern Brazil. For analysis of socioeconomic data the Urban Quality Index was utilized The HIV prevalence rate in pregnant women and vertical transmission rate were calculated. Spatial distribution was carried out by Terraview 3.2.0. To verify the association between urban quality and HIV prevalence in pregnant women, Poisson regression was used.

Results: A total of 137 HIV-positive women and 14 children infected by vertical transmission was reported. Seven children matched to HIV-positive mothers without notification in the period analyzed. HIV prevalence among pregnant women in the period was 0.44%, and the vertical transmission rate was 9.7%.

Conclusions: The prevalence of HIV infection among pregnant women and vertical transmission were associated with the urban quality of residential neighborhood. Neighborhoods with lower urban quality should be prioritized in actions to reduce vertical transmission.