HIV infection during pregnancy in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2021-2023.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of HIV infection in pregnant women; analyze the gestational and maternal outcomes of women with HIV; and evaluate process indicators for the prevention of vertical transmission of HIV according to type of financing for hospital admission in the state of Rio de Janeiro (RJ).

Methods: cross-sectional study with 1,923 women, conducted between 2021-2023. Interviews were carried out with women, and data was extracted from the pregnancy booklet and hospital records. The prevalence of HIV infection, gestational and maternal outcomes, and the adequacy of process indicators for the management of HIV infection were estimated with respective 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) according to the type of financing - public or private - for hospital admission for childbirth or abortion.

Results: Coverage of prenatal care (PNC), HIV testing during PNC (one and two tests), and testing during hospital admission was 93.7, 79.7, 45.8, and 79.2%, respectively. The prevalence of HIV infection was estimated at 0.79% (95%CI 0.31-1.99). Only 40% of women with HIV had registered antiretroviral treatment and 26% had registered viral load tests in their pregnancy booklet. Women with public funding were more socially vulnerable and had less coverage of PNC and testing with two tests.

Conclusion: Missed opportunities were identified in the management of pregnant women with HIV in public and private services in RJ. The detection rate was higher than that of the Notifiable Diseases Information System and suggests underreporting of cases.