Monitoring prevention of mother-to-child transmission in Botswana

Abstract

Background In Botswana, the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programme has succeeded in reducing rates of transmission of HIV from mother to child since the start of the national antiretroviral (ARV) programme in 2002. Methods Data on PMTCT interventions for women who delivered at Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital (NRH), the second largest hospital in Botswana, from 2003 to 2012 were collected from maternity registers. Results Of 46 354 women, 33% were HIV-positive, 58% were HIV-negative, and 9% were not tested. The percentage of women with a known HIV status increased from 50% in 2003 to 97% in 2012. PMTCT uptake for women on any ARV increased from 61% in 2003 to 86% in 2012. Infants given azidothymidine (AZT) and nevirapine prophylaxis increased from 61% to 85%. Conclusions Review of maternity registers demonstrated improvement of multiple PMTCT interventions at NRH. This is a useful approach for monitoring programme quality and guiding strategic planning.