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High syphilis but low HIV incidence rates among pregnant women in New Caledonia

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International Journal of STD & AIDS: Clinical practice in sexual health

Published online on

Abstract

Sexually transmitted infections have been described as one of the major health problems in several countries of the Pacific Region. The objective of the study was to estimate the incidence of pregnant women infected with HIV and/or syphilis in New Caledonia. HIV and syphilis test results were obtained from women attending antenatal clinics. From 2008 to 2011, 3353 pregnant women were tested with a mean incidence of active syphilis found at 5.6/100,000. No pregnant women were tested positive for HIV. Despite available resources and public health strategies similar to those existing in France, active syphilis incidence is high in New Caledonia. Surprisingly, HIV seroprevalence remains far below the figures reported in mainland country. However, social and economic changes as well as the looming referendum on independence scheduled in 2014 may have a potential negative impact on public health resources. The need for action to control syphilis and other curable sexually transmitted infections is pressing in order to prevent further spread of HIV in New Caledonia.