HIV in Pregnancy and Feto-Maternal Outcome
Abstract:
Neonatal, Infant and subsequently childhood human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are a result of transmission from a mother to her unborn fetus in utero, or during the intrapartum period, or postpartum secondary to breastfeeding. Factors like high viral load, and premature delivery, breastfeeding or mixed feeding promote mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. Various interventions to prevent MTCT of HIV have been investigated and implemented. These interventions include the use of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, safe delivery practices and infant feeding practices. Objective: The aim of the study is to determine the feto-maternal outcomes in Sero-positive pregnant women.
Materials and Methods: The study population included women who delivered at UATH over 5-year period from January 2016 to December 2021. Data for all HIV positive women were collected retrospectively from antenatal clinic PMTCT unit, ART Special treatment centre, Labour ward and the theatre. The data was analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 23.
Results: There were a total of 190 HIV positive women among the 10,416 deliveries during the study period, giving an institutional prevalence of 1.8%. There was no maternal dead recorded, there were 5 still births and no case was recorded of mother to child transmission of HIV.
Conclusion: The strategy for prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV is an effective strategy that if widely implemented could reduce the incidence of MTCT of HIV and even lead to the desired elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV.
