HIV re-testing among HIV sero-negative pregnant women at a Traditional Birth Home in Nigeria

Background: The World Health Organization recommends HIV testing for pregnant women at first visit and at the third trimester, at delivery and/or post-partum. Prevention of mother to child transmission services are not implemented in traditional birth homes (TBH) in Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HIV among pregnant women attending a TBH after initial HIV seronegative status. Materials and methods: Whole blood was collected from two hundred and two (202) pregnant women and screened for the presence of HIV antibodies using standard methods. HIV sero-negative pregnant women were followed up for a minimum of three months into the third trimester of pregnancy before a repeat HIV test was conducted on them. Relevant information was collected using a questionnaire. Results: A total of 191(94.6%), of the two hundred and two pregnant women tested for HIV were found to be HIV-seronegative. Of this number, 27 (13.9%) were lost to follow-up.  After follow-up, one hundred and sixty-four HIV sero-negative pregnant women were available for testing, but thirty -nine 39(23.8%) decline testing. Only 4(3,2%) of those who gave consent for repeat HIV testing were found to be HIV positive. Age, type of marriage and level of education did not significantly affect this sero-prevalence (p > 0.05). The most popular reason for non-uptake of HIV retesting was belief that initial HIV negative status cannot and had not changed. Conclusions: Repeat HIV testing of HIV sero-negative pregnant women resulted in a sero-prevalence of 3.2%. Intervention strategies in TBHs are highly advocated.