As uptake of testing is high and detection of HIV-infected women in pregnancy remains very low, a radical rethinking of policies on therapeutic intervention and their implementation now needs to be undertaken.

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The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and side-effects of two regimens of vaginal misoprostol for second trimester voluntary medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) according to the MTP Act of India. A randomized trial was conducted in 185 women from January 2007 to September 2008. Women in group 1 were given vaginal misoprostol 400 microg every 6 h for a maximum of four doses. Women in group 2 were given vaginal misoprostol 400 microg every 12 h for a maximum of four doses. Our primary outcome measure was induction abortion interval. Secondary outcome measures were success rate, side-effects and completeness of procedure. Results were calculated applying Fisher's exact test, chi-square test, Z test and calculating the P value using an alpha level of 0.05 for Type I error. The mean induction abortion interval in group 1 (12.59 h) was significantly shorter (P < 0.001) than that in the group 2 (16.41 h). The percentage of women who achieved successful abortion within 12 h in group 1 (56.52%) was also significantly higher (P = 0.00005) than that in group 2 (25.80%). The incidence of side-effects was comparable and not clinically serious. It is concluded that the regimen of vaginal misoprostol 400 microg every 6 h was more effective than the regimen of misoprostol every 12 h in medical termination of second trimester pregnancy.

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Introduction:Prevention of parent-to-child transmission (PPTCT) program aims at reduction of HIV transmission through vertical route. Although medical intervention reduces chance of HIV transmission substantially, several demographic factors are often contributory. Minimum literacy is required for HIV-infected individuals to understand the course of medicine and to ensure compliance to the treatment which may have impact on vertical transmission. The objective of this study is to analyze relationship between maternal education and possibility of her babies to get HIV infected.Materials and Methods:A retrospective cohort study was carried out through analysis of secondary data during the period from April 13 to September 16 from all stand-alone integrated counseling and testing centers in West Bengal. A total number of 326 HIV-exposed babies, whose 6th week HIV-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) reports are available and both the mother-baby received PPTCT services, were recruited in the study, and their maternal literacy status was substantiated and analyzed.Results:HIV positivity among HIV-exposed babies was found to be 6.67% whose mothers were illiterate as compared to 5.55% whose mothers were literate up to primary standard and 3.93% whose mothers were educated up to secondary standard. HIV positivity among the exposed babies whose mothers studied higher secondary standard or above showed zero HIV positivity. Chi-square was done to ascertain statistical significance but result was inconclusive although the trend shows increasing chance of HIV-exposed babies to get infected with decreasing literacy.Conclusion:Maternal literacy status favorably influences vertical transmission of HIV.