Résumé
To describe the haematological profile of pregnant women and to compare these characteristics according to HIV serostatus in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, a cross-sectional study was made in the context of a research intervention programme to reduce mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV (ANRS 049 trial). HIV testing was systematically proposed to pregnant women attending the mother and child health clinic of a community health centre. Blood samples were tested for HIV antibodies using Genelavia
™ and Peptilav
™. The haematological parameters were measured with a Coulter counter. From May 1995 to March 1996, 1646 pregnant women accepted HIV testing and had a full blood count available. The prevalence of HIV infection was 12·0% (
n = 197). The prevalence of anaemia (haemoglobin [Hb] <11 g/dL) was 70·1%,
n = 1155 (95% confidence interval 68–72%) and significantly higher in HIV+ (81·7%,
n = 161) than in HIV− women (68·9%,
n = 994) (
P < 0·001). Severe anaemia (Hb < 7 g/dL) was present in 1·9% of the women (
n = 31), 4·6% (
n = 9) in HIV+ and 1·5% (
n = 22) in HIV− women (
P < 0·001). HIV infection, primigravidae and secundigravidae were factors independently associated with anaemia. Anaemia was highly prevalent in this population while severe anaemia was rare. HIV infection was a contributor to anaemia in pregnancy. As zidovudine, with its known haematological toxicity, has recently been introduced to prevent MTCT of HIV in developing countries, screening HIV+ women for severe anaemia is necessary.