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Achievements and Challenges in the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV—A Retrospective Cohort Study from a Rural Hospital in Northern Tanzania

Author

Listed:
  • Sunniva Marie Nydal

    (Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1171, Blindern, 0318 Oslo, Norway)

  • Yuda Munyaw

    (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Haydom Lutheran Hospital, P.O. Box 9000, Haydom, Mbulu Manyara, Tanzania)

  • Johan N. Bruun

    (Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1171, Blindern, 0318 Oslo, Norway)

  • Arne Broch Brantsæter

    (Department of Infectious Diseases, Ullevål Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4956, Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway
    Department of Acute Medicine, Ullevål Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4956, Nydalen, 0424 Oslo, Norway)

Abstract

Despite the goal of eliminating new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in children, mother-to-child transmission is still common in resource-poor countries. The aims of this study were to assess the occurrence of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT) by age 18 months, risk factors for transmission, and the implementation of the national prevention of MTCT (PMTCT) program in a rural hospital in Tanzania. Data were collated from various medical registers and records. We included 172 children and 167 HIV-infected mothers. Among 88 children (51%) with adequate information, 9 (10.2%) were infected. Increased risk of MTCT was associated with late testing of the child (>2 months) [OR = 9.5 (95% CI: 1.8–49.4)], absence of antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy [OR = 9.7 (95% CI: 2.1–46.1)], and maternal CD4 cell count <200 cells/mm 3 [OR = 15.3 (95% CI: 2.1–111)]. We were unable to determine the occurrence of MTCT transmission in 84 children (49%). The results from this study highlight that there is an urgent need for enhanced efforts to improve follow-up of HIV-exposed children, to improve documentation in registries and records, and to facilitate ease of linkage between these.

Suggested Citation

  • Sunniva Marie Nydal & Yuda Munyaw & Johan N. Bruun & Arne Broch Brantsæter, 2021. "Achievements and Challenges in the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV—A Retrospective Cohort Study from a Rural Hospital in Northern Tanzania," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:5:p:2751-:d:513235
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