[Prevalence and incidence of HIV-1 infection among employees of a large textile business and their wives in Kinshasa, 1991-1996].

Background: The Democratic Republic of Congo has been experiencing a critical economic situation for several years, resulting in a favorable context for the spread of HIV-infection. A study was performed in a large textile factory in Kinshasa, to determine prevalence and incidence of HIV-infection among employees and their wives.

Methods: From February to November 1996, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 2010 employees (1859 males, 151 females) of the factory and their 1198 female partners.

Evidence of stable HIV seroprevalences in selected populations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Objective: To determine current data on HIV infection and to document changes and trends of HIV seroprevalence in selected populations over time in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC; former Zaïre).

Methods: In February 1997, a large serosurvey was conducted on selected population groups from Kinshasa (capital city), Mbuji-May (southeast) and Bwamanda (northwest). Samples obtained from pregnant women, tuberculosis patients, commercial sex workers, blood donors and sexually transmitted disease patients were screened for the presence of HIV antibodies by a rapid assay and a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.