Sociodemographic Predictors of HIV Infection among Pregnant Women in Botswana: Cross-Sectional Study at 7 Health Facilities

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and sociodemographic predictors of HIV among pregnant women in Botswana. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of randomly enrolled women aged 18 to 49 years, attending 7 health facilities in Botswana. Data were gathered from November 2017 to March 2018 and analyzed using SPSS version 24. RESULT: Of the 429 women enrolled, 407 (96.4%) were included in the analysis. The HIV prevalence was 17%; 69 of 407 (95% CI: 13.4- 21.0). Women aged 35 to 49 years had higher HIV prevalence than those 18 to 24 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 6.2; 95% CI: 2.7-14.4). Illiterate and elementary school educated women had higher HIV prevalence than those with a tertiary education (AOR = 8.5; 95% CI: 1.8-39.1). Those with a history of alcohol intake had a higher HIV prevalence than those without (AOR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.3-5.3). CONCLUSION: HIV prevalence was lower than it was in 2011. Age, level of education, and history of alcohol intake were strong predictors for HIV infection calling for targeted behavioral change interventions.