2012 South Sudan Antenatal Clinic Sentinel Surveillance for HIV and Syphilis

The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of HIV and syphilis among pregnant women in South Sudan. The survey was conducted using ANC sentinel surveillance, targeting women receiving antenatal care services across the country. The study found that the HIV prevalence among pregnant women participating in the 2012 Antenatal Care Sentinel Surveillance round was 2.6% (95% CI 2.3, 2.8). This represents the lowest level of HIV infection ever reported for ANC SS since the first round of SS in 2007. Major variations were observed in the distribution of HIV prevalence amongst the diverse geographic regions, ranging from the highest prevalence of 6.8% in Western Equatoria State to the lowest prevalence of 0.3% in Northern Bahr El-Ghazal. At the site-specific level, Ezo reported the highest prevalence of HIV infection at 14%, followed by Yambio and Tambura at 8.4% and 6.5% respectively. Gokmachar and Kwajok reported the lowest prevalence of HIV infection at 0%, followed by Katigiri at 0.1%. The main correlates of HIV infection were marital status, level of education, and gravida. Women with two pregnancies were almost twice more likely to have HIV infection compared to those with one pregnancy. Women with elementary education were half as likely to have HIV infection compared to women with no formal education. The overall syphilis infection prevalence from the 2012 surveillance survey was 8.3% (95% CI 7.7-8.7). The main correlates of syphilis infection were residence, marital status, level of education, and gravida. Women with no formal education were almost twice more likely to have syphilis infection compared to women with elementary education. The study was conducted in collaboration with various individuals, groups, and organizations, including the South Sudan HIV/AIDS Commission, the Ministry of Health, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The study received funding and technical support from PEPFAR through the CDC. The Ministry of Health is committed to continuously undertaking this kind of study to follow trends among this population group while working hard with the South Sudan HIV/AIDS Commission and HIV partners to conduct population-based surveys that will give the true picture of the epidemic nationwide and among different age groups.