Mother-To-Child Transmission Rate Of HIV At Orlu, South-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: More than 90% of paediatric HIV infections occur through mother-to-child transmission. This study was conducted to determine the rate of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV and the effect of antenatal antiretroviral therapy at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH), Orlu.Methods: A retrospective analysis of the case records of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results of babies at 6 weeks of age whose mothers tested positive to Human Immune-deficiency Virus while pregnant at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH), Orlu from 1 April 2008 to 31 July 2010 was made. Data on PCR result, baby’s sex, attendance at the antenatal clinic and prophylactic antiretroviral therapy (ART) were extracted and analyzed. Results: The mother-to-child transmission rate was 13.6%. The mothers of all the positive babies were unbooked and had no form of antenatal care or ART while pregnant. The male:female birth ratio was 1:1.07. Fifty four (66.7%) of the women were unbooked. Conclusion: The mother-to-child transmission rate at Orlu is still high. As this transmission was confounded to unbooked patients who had no ART in pregnancy, efforts should be made towards increasing the percentage of booked cases. Also maternities, hospitals and even TBA’s should encouraged their clients to go for voluntary counseling and testing. There should also be improvement on interventions to reduce this which should include early booking, adequate antenatal care services, use of prophylactic antiretroviral drugs and modified obstetric practices.