Seroprevalence of HIV infection in childbearing women in Nova Scotia.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of HIV-1 infection in childbearing women in Nova Scotia. DESIGN An anonymous, unlinked seroprevalence study using "leftover" cord bloods. The study was done in 2 stages: I-Halifax Co. women delivering between February 1, 1992 and December 31, 1993; II-non-Halifax Co. women delivering between November 15, 1993 and December 15, 1994. RESULTS Of 9,115 deliveries during stage I and 5,515 during stage II, specimens were tested from 8,864 (97.2%) and 5,219 (95%) respectively. Halifax Co. women were older, more often married and more often reported a STD than the non-Halifax Co. participants with 20% under age 20 reporting a history of STD. There was one EIA and WB positive result among Halifax Co. women (seroprevalence 1/10,000; 95% CI 0.03-6.29) and one EIA positive, WB indeterminant result among non-Halifax Co. women (seroprevalence 0/10,000; 95% CI 0-5.7). CONCLUSION There is a low prevalence of HIV infection among Nova Scotia childbearing women. However, a substantial number, especially those < age 20, reported a history of STD.