Abstractobjective To identify risk factors associated with mother-to-child transmission of HIV in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco.methods Retrospective cohort study with 1200 HIV-exposed children born in Pernambuco, registered up to the age of 2 months in a public programme to prevent vertical transmission. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted for maternal and peripartum characteristics and prophylactic interventions, to identify risk factors for mother-to-child transmission of HIV.results The transmission rate was 9.16% (95% CI: 7.4-10.9). The following risk factors were independently associated with transmission: non-use of antiretroviral during pregnancy (OR: 7.8; 95% CI: 4.1-15); vaginal delivery (OR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.2-3.4); prematurity (OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.3-4.7); and breastfeeding (OR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.4-4.6).conclusions This mother-to-child transmission rate is unacceptably high, as prophylactic interventions such as antiretroviral therapy and infant feeding formula are free of charge. Absence of antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy was the main risk factor. Therefore, early identification of exposed mothers and initiating prophylactic interventions are the main challenges for controlling transmission.keywords epidemiology, HIV, infectious disease vertical transmission, risk factors, Brazil

BackgroundMother-to-child transmission of HIV (MTCT) is the major form of acquiring the disease among children. The loss to follow-up (LTF) of mothers and their children is a problem that affects the effectiveness of programs for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT). The aim of this study is to identify risk factors associated with the LTF of HIV-exposed children in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was carried out with 1200 HIV-exposed children born between 2000 and 2009, registered up to the age of 2 months in a public health PMTCT program. Children were considered LTF if they did not return for scheduled visits to monitor infection status. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify risk factors for LTF.ResultsA total of 185 children (15.4%; CI: 95%: 13.4 - 17.4%) met the case definition of LTF before the determination of serological HIV status. Risk factors independently associated with LTF were mother-child pairs who reside in rural and remote areas (OR 1.86; 95% CI: 1.30-2.66) and mothers who use illicit drugs (OR 1.8; 95% CI: 1.08-3.0). Initiation of the PMTCT during pregnancy was a protective factor for LTF (OR 0.69; 95% CI: 0.49-0.96).ConclusionsThe decentralization of support services for HIV-exposed children to other cities in the state seems to be crucial for the accurate monitoring of outcomes. It is also important to introduce additional measures addressing mothers who are drug users so that they remain in the program: an intensive follow-up program that actively searches for absentee mother-child pairs, support from social services and treatment for drug-dependency. The findings of this study highlight the importance of diagnosing mothers as early as possible in order to conduct a more complete follow-up period of the children. Solving the above-mentioned problems is a challenge, which must be overcome so as to improve the quality of PMTCT.

Objectives: to analyze the association of socioeconomic, obstetric, pediatric and prophylactic factors to the vertical transmission of HIV in children followed at a reference service in Recife between 2010 and 2015. Methods: case-control nested the cohort of children exposed to vertical transmission of HIV. A univariate and multivariate statistical analysis was performed on the association of socioeconomic, obstetric, pediatric and prophylactic measures with the outcome. We considered two multivariate approaches, conventional and hierarchical, the latter made it possible to consider different levels of determination. Results: 46.5% of the mothers had low schooling, 69.6% without work-related wages and 35.7% received a family grant. Women with postpartum diagnosis and less than 6 prenatal appointments had a greater chance of vertical transmission. Prophylactic measures were statistically associated with prevention of transmission (p<0.1%). Conclusions: vertical risk factors for HIV transmission were identified: no sewage system, at least six prenatal consultations, first care of the child with more than two months and no prophylaxis in pregnancy and childbirth. Determining factors for which specific policies and programs exist and their non-access social determination evidence of HIV vertical transmission.