Prevalence and risk factors for HIV, hepatitis B virus, and syphilis among pregnant women in Mayotte, Indian Ocean, 2008–2009

ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence and risk factors for HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and syphilis among pregnant women living on the Indian Ocean island of Mayotte.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among 671 pregnant women at 11 prenatal clinics on Mayotte between September 15, 2008, and September 27, 2009. Sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics were collected by interviewer-administered questionnaire. Blood samples were obtained for HIV, HBV, and syphilis testing. Risk factors were analyzed by exact logistic regression.ResultsNo prevalent case of HIV infection was detected among the study population. The prevalence of HBV surface antigen and active syphilis (defined as a positive test result by both rapid plasma reagin and Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assays) was 3.4% and 2.1%, respectively. A positive HBV surface antigen test was associated with being born in Comoros and having sex with a casual partner during the previous year. Lack of education and a history of sexually transmitted infections in the past 5 years were associated with active syphilis.ConclusionThe continuing low prevalence of HIV and high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among pregnant women on Mayotte confirmed the so-called “Indian Ocean paradox.”