Epidemiological analysis of HIV infections via sexual transmission between spouses in an area of Henan province

Aim:To study the epidemiological status of HIV infection between married couples.Methods:A total of 2 651 couples with only one confirmed HIV-positive spouse were followed up from 2006 to the end of 2009.HIV antibody was detected every six months by ELISA and Western blot.Results:2 445 couples finished the follow-up,and the follow-up rate was 92.2%.73 couples had sexual transmission,and the cumulative sexual transmission rate was 2.98%.The sexual transmission rate was 4.33%(44/1 015)from the male to the female and 2.03%(29/1 430)from the female to the male.Conclusion:The frequencies of sexual transmission in Henan province is relatively low.The publicizing should be strengthened in single HIV positive families to maximally avoid sexual transmission between spouses.