International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

A healthcare official in Ghana has expressed his surprise at the number of expectant mothers with the HIV virus in one area.

Samuel Addo, regional disease control officer in Sunyani, said the increase in the amount of pregnant females testing as HIV positive in Brong Ahafo over recent months is alarming, Joy News reports.

Whereas 75 pregnant women were found to carry the infection during 2011, this has since passed the 90 mark.

However, Mr Addo acknowledged the increase could be partly down to the fact that a growing number of pregnant females are seeking antenatal care and undergoing HIV tests.

He added that this has opened up an opportunity for unborn babies to get specialist treatment in order to ensure they do not have the HIV virus after birth.

Ghana is already struggling with a high child mortality rate, with 69 babies in every 1,000 live births likely to die before reaching the age of five.

Posted by Martine Ward