Anti retroviral drug prophylaxis in prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection in a treatment centre in Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission through the use of antiretroviral (ARV) prophylaxis has been identified as one of the ways of reducing prevalence of HIV/AIDS in children and many centers are implementing it. A study to assess the use and effectiveness of antiretrovirals in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) in a treatment center in Jos, Nigeria, was carried out. The prophylaxis given to HIV positive mothers and their babies were reviewed over a 20 months period (Jan 2009 to August 2011) and the outcome of the intervention was assessed. Of the 135 pregnant mothers’ records reviewed, all of them were on triple ARV before delivery with 2 of them on second line regimen. The study revealed that 221 babies were given post exposure prophylaxis of single dose nevirapine at birth followed by 7 day course of zidovudine (AZT). Out of these babies 96.4% (213) returned negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test results for HIV (P<0.01). The breast feeding options showed that 35.5% were on mixed or exclusive breastfeeding; 21% were on infant formula. The antiretroviral prophylaxis to the mothers and infants was given in accordance with recommended guidelines and was effective in reducing the perinatal transmission of HIV to the babies. Keywords : Peri-natal transmission; ARVs; PMTCT