Mother-to-child transmission of HIV and its predictors among HIV-exposed infants at Bamenda Regional Hospital, Cameroon

Abstract

BackgroundMother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV, has been a major global public health burden. Despite the use of antiretroviral prophylaxis by HIV-positive pregnant women and their infants, safe obstetric practice and safe infant feeding habits in the prevention of MTCT of HIV, the prevalence of HIV among HIV-exposed infants is still high in Cameroon.ObjectiveOur objectives were to determine the prevalence, assess the predictors and determine the effect of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) on MTCT of HIV at the regional hospital in Bamenda, Cameroon.MethodsThis was a retrospective study. Secondary data from 877 HIV-exposed infants aged ≤ 72 weeks were extracted from the records between January 2008 and December 2014. The predictors and effect of cART on MTCT of HIV were analysed using a multivariable logistic regression model and risk analysis, respectively.ResultsOut of 877 HIV-exposed infants, 62 were positive for HIV, giving a prevalence of 7.1%. Maternal antiretroviral intervention and infant age group were statistically significant predictors of MTCT of HIV. HIV-positive mothers who were on cART were 2.49 times less likely to transmit HIV than those who were not on cART.ConclusionIn order to reduce the prevalence of HIV among HIV-exposed infants, maternal antiretroviral intervention should be targeted and the use of cART by HIV-positive pregnant women should be encouraged.

<p>Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Its Predictors Among HIV-Exposed Infants at an Outpatient Clinic for HIV/AIDS in Vietnam</p>

“…This finding is similar to studies conducted in different corners of the world which confirm that maternal ART intervention is the determinant factor for reducing MTCT rate. 17,19,27,29,[31][32][33][34][35] By the same token, HIV-exposed infants with ARV prophylaxis after birth were 3.4-times less likely to be HIV-infected at the age of 18 months. This finding was in line with previous studies in Africa.…”

<p>The Prevalence of HIV-Positive Infants Born to HIV-Positive Mothers Attended at the University of Gondar Specialized Hospital Anti-Retroviral Therapy Services, Northwest Ethiopia, 2018</p>

“…Our finding is markedly lower than those of studies conducted in Gondar (10.2%), Dire Dawa (15.7%), Jima (17%), 16,17,19 Nigeria (34.4%), Cameron (7.1%), and Burkina Faso (11.2%). [23][24][25] The possible reasons might be due to the current study used the modified WHO guideline (option B+) and the implementation of combined ART drugs regimens in the health facilities; While the other studies used the previous WHO guideline with PMCT option A+ and B implementation program. On the other hand, this finding is higher than studies conducted in Tigray (2.4%), 26 Zambia (0.5%), and South Africa (2.4%).…”

Ordinal Regression Modeling of Mother to Infant HIV Transmission in Nyeri County, Kenya

“…Infant CD4 count and viral load were the only consistent factors in the estimation and prediction of mother to infant HIV infections as they had confidence intervals close to zero. This was as with the case for Fondoh et al [3], Izudi et al [13] and Obsa et al [8] who used a multivariate logistic approach to modeling of the mother to infant HIV infections.…”

“…Fondoh et al (2017) used the multivariate logistic regression in their study to determine the predictors of mother to child HIV transmissions in Bamenda Regional Hospital [3]. Mugwenza et al (2018) used the Binary Logistic Regression to determine the predictors of HIV transmission [9].…”