Pyndiah MN, Chakowa A, Chan Kam C, Ng Man Sun R, Perumal J, Sonoo J, Jeebun N; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 2000 Jul 9-14; 13: abstract no. MoPeC2413.
M.N. Pyndiah, Ministry of Health & Quality of Life, Virology/STD/AIDS Laboratory, Central Health Laboratory, Candos, Mauritius, Tel.: +230 424 6375, Fax: +230 427 3176, E-mail: npyndiah@intnet.mu
Background: To set up a surveillance programme in order to monitor the trend of HIV infection among the population of the Island of Mauritius. Elisa screening tests were performed on blood samples and positive cases were confirmed by the immunoblot assay. Methods: The study was carried out during the periond of 1988 to 1999. Blood samples were obtained from blood donors, pregnant women, patients admitted to the tuberculosis(TB) hospital, patients attending the sexually transmitted disease clinic, expatriates undergoing medical examinations, commercial sex workers, prison inmates and volunteers calling directly to the screening centre. Results: In almost all the groups of persons tested, the prevalence was low at the beginning of the study, with an increse around the early 1990s and then decreasing by late 1990s. The commercial sex workers belong to the group with the highest prevalence (7.6%) and the blood donors with the lowest prevalence (0.004%). Conclusions: Using the data obtained, Mauritius is a low prevalence inland. HIV was introduced late to the country and the spread among the population is slow. However, the rate of HIV among the commercial sex workers is high compared to the other groups included in the study.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- AIDS Vaccines
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Blood Donors
- Female
- HIV
- HIV Antibodies
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- HIV Seroprevalence
- Humans
- Mauritius
- Prevalence
- Prostitution
- Tuberculosis
- epidemiology
Other ID:
UI: 102238069
From Meeting Abstracts