A comparative study of HIV sero-prevalence between nulliparous and parous women of reproductive age who attended the Sinawe Center, Mthatha, South Africa.

Abstract

To compare the sero-prevalence of HIV infection between nulliparous and parous women who attended the Sinawe Center following sexual abuse. 
Methods: A record review of victims of sexual abuse who reported to the Sinawe Center, Mthatha General Hospital. 
Results: Six hundred and eighty-five females attended the center between 1 January and 31 December 2005. Two hundred and seventy-eight were 16 years or older. Of these, 268 had testing for HIV done and 72 (26.8%) were found to be positive. The highest number of positive results, 30 (11.2%), was found in women between 21 and 25 years. 
There were 160 (59.7%) nulliparous women, of whom 30 (11.1%) were HIV positive, and 108 (40.3%) parous women of whom 42 (15.7%) were HIV positive. Among the nulliparae the highest positivity, 17 (6.3%), was in the 16–to-20-year age group, while in the parous women it was in the 21-to-25-year age group: 26 (9.7%). Twenty-nine (10.8%) rapists used condoms during the sexual act. Condoms were used by the perpetrators when raping 15 (50%) victims who were HIV positive. 
Conclusion: 
There was a higher prevalence of HIV among parous women than among nulliparae who attended the Sinawe Center.