A descriptive study of aspects of the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV programme at selected hospitals and clinics in Gauteng
Date
2010-10-14
Authors
Ismail, Farrah
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Abstract
AIM:
To evaluate aspects of the PMTCT programmes at selected hospitals and clinics in
Gauteng.
METHOD:
A cross sectional survey of post partum women in Gauteng was undertaken during April-
June 2006. Data was collected at four hospitals and eight Midwife Obstetric Units (MOUs)
in four regions in Gauteng. Mothers, irrespective of HIV status, who delivered in the
previous 48 hours were interviewed. This was followed by a review of the mother’s and
infant’s records as well as relevant registers.
RESULTS:
Interviews with, and record reviews, of 182 mother-infant pairs were conducted/obtained;
69 (38%) at MOUs and 113 (62%) at hospitals. The majority (172 [95%]) of mothers were
“booked” of whom 155 (85%) had undergone an antenatal HIV test. Forty-two mothers
(23%) were HIV positive. Nevirapine was issued antenatally to 37/42 (89%) of eligible
mothers; 30/42 (71%) took it during labour. Three women (8%) received the drug for the
first time during labour; thus 33/42 (79%) of eligible mothers received nevirapine. Thirtytwo
(76%) of babies born to HIV positive mothers received nevirapine. However, in only
24/42 of mother-infant pairs (57%) was receipt of nevirapine by both parties, recorded.
There was no significant difference in nevirapine administration rates to mothers at clinics
compared to hospitals (76% vs. 81%, p=0.71). Infants were more likely to receive
nevirapine at clinics compared to hospitals (90% vs. 62%, p= 0.03).
CONCLUSION:
Four years after introduction of a PMTCT programme in Gauteng, nevirapine uptake and
administration rates remained sub-optimal, with at least a quarter of eligible (identified)
women and infants not receiving the intervention. The findings highlight the need to
prioritise and consolidate PMTCT activities in the province.
Description
MMed (Paediatrics), Faculty of health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand
Keywords
HIV, transmission, mother to child