Buhendwa L, Bakali E, Kazima J; IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment (2nd : 2003 : Paris, France).
Antivir Ther. 2003; 8 (Suppl.1): abstract no. 1059.
Medecins Sans Frontieres, Thyolo District, Malawi
In Malawi mothers continue to become pregnant and deliver without access to the possibility of prevention of HIV transmission to their babies. Prevention of parents to child transmission of HIV can provide antenatal mothers with a gateway for HIV prevention, care and support. This project is being conducted in a rural district in order to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of integrating PMTCT services within routine Mother and Child Health (MCH) services. All pregnant mothers attending the antenatal clinic are offered counselling and HIV testing (VCT). Those who test HIV-positive are offered nevirapine (at 36 weeks) to be taken at the onset of labour. The baby is also given a stat dose of nevirapine syrup within 72 h after delivery. Infant feeding options, family planning and referral for home based care (HBC), prevention and management of opportunistic infections are all integral part of this programme. A total of 3376 antenatal mothers have been enrolled in the programme during 12 months. 3083 ( 91%) mothers were pre-test counselled and 3046 underwent HIV testing as well as post-test counselling. Among those mothers who were tested, 635 (21%) were found to be HIV-positive. 104 (54%) mothers opted for formula infant feeding while the others opted for exclusive breastfeeding. Children lost for follow up were retraced successfully by a mobile team and through the existing HBC programme network These preliminary results are encouraging and show a high acceptability for PMTCT services. There are operational problems linked to feeding and follow up of infants.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Breast Feeding
- Child
- Counseling
- Disease Transmission, Vertical
- Female
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Infant
- Malawi
- Nevirapine
- Rural Population
- transmission
Other ID:
UI: 102263337
From Meeting Abstracts