Original Research

Evaluation of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission programme at a primary health care centre in South Africa

Olusegun Solomon Akinsanya, Jill Wiseman-Firtell, Goodman Akpomiemie, Oladele Vincent Adeniyi, Ramprakash Kaswa
South African Family Practice | Vol 59, No 2 : March/April| a4546 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v59i2.4546 | ©
Submitted: 15 August 2016 | Published: 10 May 2017

About the author(s)

Olusegun Solomon Akinsanya, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom
Jill Wiseman-Firtell, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom
Goodman Akpomiemie, University of the Witswatersrand, South Africa
Oladele Vincent Adeniyi, Walter Sisulu University, South Africa
Ramprakash Kaswa, Walter Sisulu University, South Africa

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Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of the HIV programme at Levai Mbatha Community Health Centre (CHC), Evaton, South Africa.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of HIV-infected mother–infant pairs was conducted between 1 August 2009 and 31 July 2010. The infants’ HIV status was determined using HIV-specific qualitative DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Demographic characteristics, mode of mother to child transmission (MTCT), choice of infant feeding, mode of delivery and CD4 count were included.

Results: Of the 206 mothers, 10 infants had positive DNA PCR results at 6 weeks. The MTCT rate was 4.9%. The mean age of HIV-infected mothers was 28 years (SD 5.7, range 16–42 years). Overall, 74.2% (152) of HIV-positive mothers received dual therapy
and 28.8% (53) were on HAART alone. Mothers with CD4 count < 200cells/μl (OR = 0.09 [CI, 0.01–0.75]; p = 0.026) and lack of prophylaxis during labour (OR = 9.50 [CI, 1.59–56.66]; p = 0.013) were identified as significant risk factors associated with MTCT.

Conclusions: The PMTCT programme at Levai Mbatha CHC is effective in reducing the MTCT of HIV. Lack of ART prophylaxis and low CD4 count were the significant determinants of MTCT in the study.

(Full text of the research articles are available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojfp)

S Afr Fam Pract 2017; DOI: 10.1080/20786190.2016.1254933

Keywords

DNA PCR; HIV infection; prevention of mother-to-child transmission; rates; South Africa

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