Trends of HIV and syphilis prevalence among pregnant women in antenatal clinics in Togo: Analysis of sentinel serosurveillance results between 2008 and 2016

• Published in: Médecine tropicale et santé internationale 2022-09, Vol.2 (3)
• Main Authors: Akakpo, Abla Séfako, Larabou, Aminou, Saka, Bayaki, Téclessou, Julienne Noude, Singo, Assetina, Dagnra, Anoumou, Kombaté, Koussake, Pitché, Palokinam
• Format: Article
• Language: fre
• ISSN: 2778-2034
• DOI: 10.48327/mtsi.v2i3.2022.152

IntroductionThe aim of our work was to analyse the trends of HIV infection and syphilis among pregnant women in prenatal consultation (PNC) in healthcare facilities in Togo. MethodsThis was an analytical retrospective study, covering the period from 2008 to 2016 and focusing on pregnant women aged 15 to 49 seen in PNC for the first time in maternal and child health services in Togo. ResultsDuring the study period, 41,536 pregnant women were registered in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014 and 2016, respectively 8079, 8572, 8430, 7920 and 8535.The mean age of the patients was 26 ± 6 year in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The overall HIV prevalence decreased from 3.4% in 2008 to 2.9% in 2016 (p = 0.0145). It fell from 1% in 2008 to 0.5% in 2016 and from 3.6% in 2008 to 1.4% in 2016 (p < 0.0001) among 15-19 year-old and 20-24 year-old respectively. HIV prevalence in rural areas is two times lower than in urban areas between 2008 and 2016 with a statistically significant difference. The prevalence of syphilis decreased significantly from 2008 (1.3%) to 2016 (0.6%), (p < 0.0001). It is low and not associated with age in 2008; 0.2% and 0.4% in 2016 respectively in the 15 to 19 and 20 to 24 age groups. This prevalence is significantly low between 2008 and 2016 in both urban and rural areas. ConclusionOur study documents a relatively low prevalence of syphilis and HIV among pregnant women in Togo, with a significant decrease among adolescents and young women, attesting to the effectiveness of the increased screening and comprehensive prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV, including the antiretroviral treatment as prevention (TASP) approach, and the neonatal syphilis elimination programme in the country.