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In many regions of the world, HIV infection is common in women of childbearing age. Pregnant women should be tested and, if found to be HIV-positive, should receive antiretroviral medications to lower the risk for vertical transmission. In South Africa, HIV testing and counseling are offered at the initial prenatal visit; repeat testing of seronegative women, although recommended, is rarely done. Now, as part of a program designed to prevent mother-to-child transmission, researchers in South Africa have investigated the incidence of new HIV infection during pregnancy.
Pregnant women who were HIV-negative at their first prenatal visit were enrolled from one rural and two urban health facilities in each of three provinces. Participants receive…