Abstract
Mother to child transmission (MTCT) of the AIDS virus remains a persistent means for HIV acquisition and accounts for most cases of paediatric HIV infection. Maternal viral load, antiretroviral therapy for mother and infants, infant feeding pattern and mode of delivery have been implicated as factors that affects MTCT rates. The study evaluated the efficacy of the various PMTCT interventions in relation to HIV status of the babies. Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) register of exposed infants seeking care from January 2015-December 2016 was retrieved and reviewed. Data on mother’s antiretroviral therapy (ART) status, infants ART status, sex, feeding pattern and HIV status were extracted, recorded an analyzed using SPSS 23 and results expressed in simple frequency and percentage. Statistical association was assayed for using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact test. A total of 249 mother and infant pairs took part in the study. Approximately (50.2%) of the infants were females and virtually all (95.6%) of the participating mothers were on ART. Likewise, almost all (94.0%) of the infants were placed on ART while majority of them (71%) were exclusively breastfed. An incidence rate of 4.4% (11/249) for MTCT of the AIDS virus was recorded while variables such as maternal ART status, infant ART status and infant feeding pattern showed strong association with MTCT. Findings from this study revealed a reduced prevalence for the study region when compared to other regions and a hope for the complete eradication of MTCT of HIV when PMTCT interventions and strategies are properly implemented and utilized.
Highlights
HIV infection among women of child bearing age and mother to child transmission (MTCT) of HIV in Nigeria remains a major health burden [1] M-T-C-T is responsible for about 90% of paediatric HIV cases in Africa [2] with about 14.3% of these cases resulting to death before the age of 15 years [3]
Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) interventions have been responsible for gross reduction of MTCT and corresponding mortalities to about less than 1% in Europe and America [5] and from 570,000 cases in 2003 to an estimated 110,000 in 2015 within the 21 Global Plan Priority Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa [6]
Of the 249 mother and infant pair that participated in the study, 238 mothers were on antiretroviral therapy (ART) (95.6%) while 11 (4.4%) were not on ART. 179 (71.9%) of the babies were exclusively breastfeed while 17 (6.8%) were mix fed. 234 (94.0%) of the children were on ART while 125 (50.2%) were females
Summary
HIV infection among women of child bearing age and mother to child transmission (MTCT) of HIV in Nigeria remains a major health burden [1] M-T-C-T is responsible for about 90% of paediatric HIV cases in Africa [2] with about 14.3% of these cases resulting to death before the age of 15 years [3]. Acquisition of the HIV virus from the mother may occur via three known mechanisms. These include In utero (microtransfusion of viremic maternal blood across the placenta resulting from break down of placenta integrity), Intra-patum Prevention of newer HIV infection among women of child bearing age, discouraging unintended pregnancy among HIV-infected women, preventing transmission of HIV to infants from positive mothers and lastly ensuring the availability of appropriate treatment, care and support for women, children and family are component of the four prong comprehensive approach to PMTCT Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) interventions have been responsible for gross reduction of MTCT and corresponding mortalities to about less than 1% in Europe and America [5] and from 570,000 cases in 2003 to an estimated 110,000 in 2015 within the 21 Global Plan Priority Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa [6].
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