Stocking L, Shapiro R, Lockman S, Thior I, Essex M; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12; 14: abstract no. ThPeF8041.

Botswana Harvard Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana

BACKGROUND: To examine the rate of acceptance of PMTCT programs during the introduction of both a government program as well as a research study on PMTCT of HIV. METHODS: All pregnant women were approached during routine antenatal care visits for voluntary counselling and testing (VCT). Health education in groups followed by individual counselling, were offered to all pregnant women. Those found to be HIV positive were referred to a central clinic and offered a choice of either the Botswana National Program (BNP), which includes ZDV from 34 wks until delivery, with one month of ZDV for the child and free formula or a randomised study (the Mashi study). Mashi compares formula feeding versus breast feeding with prophylactic ZDV for six months to the infant and the addition of single dose Nevirapine versus placebo to the above described ZDV protocol. RESULTS: Of the 1735 women approached, 1180 (68%) accepted HIV testing. 354 (30%) of the women tested were HIV positive. 173 (49%) of the known HIV infected pregnant women enrolled in one of the two PMTCT interventions. 128 (36%) joined the Mashi study while 45(13%) enrolled in the government program. Of the 45 women joining 26 (58%) were ineligible for the study and 17 (38%) wanted to choose their own feeding strategy. 111 (31%) of the HIV infected pregnant women either refused any intervention or were lost to follow-up. 70 (20%) of the women remain eligible for study enrolment. CONCLUSIONS: In the village of Molepolole, Botswana, there was a low acceptance of HIV testing in pregnancy and participation in PMTCT interventions. The actual participation rate (49%) to any PMTCT intervention is far lower than the rate (99%) reported in a prior study within the same village looking at the intention of pregnant women to enrol in a PMTCT intervention, if made available. Community education, as well as investigation into cultural and individual barriers to PMTCT programs in this region are needed.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• AIDS Vaccines
• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Botswana
• Breast Feeding
• Child
• Counseling
• Disease Transmission, Vertical
• Female
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Humans
• Infant
• Mothers
• Nevirapine
• Pregnancy
• Prenatal Care
• Zidovudine
• methods
• therapy
• transmission

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0017154

UI: 102254652

From Meeting Abstracts