Human immunodeficiency virus infection is prevalent in Malawi.

The human immunodeficiency virus has been spreading from Central Africa to surrounding countries. A recent study of prostitutes in Nairobi demonstrated the presence of the virus in Kenya. A recently conducted serological survey of southern Malawi confirms the presence of HIV virus in Eastern Africa. In March 1986 sera from prostitutes male prisoners in a hospital ward hospital staff pregnant women and persons with symptoms suggesting AIDS were gathered and examined for antibodies to HIV by ELISA testing and western blot analysis. There was a high incidence of HIV infection among Malawi prostitutes with 77 of 167 (46%) testing positive. There were also high rates of infection among male hospital staff and male prisoners hospitalized with other diseases. 45% of persons with AIDS symptoms tested positive for HIV infection. Although the study focused on groups at high risk of contracting the virus a small number of low-risk women were also examined. Of 25 nurses and pregnant women tested none showed signs of HIV infection indicating that the prevalence of HIV infection among the general Malawi population is small or absent.