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

Abstract

Destaye Guadie Kassie,1 Worknesh Akanaw Bogale,1 Ayenew Addisu2 1Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia; 2Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Destaye Guadie KassieDepartment of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, P.O.Box: 196, Gondar, EthiopiaTel [phone]Email [email protected]: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks the human immune cells and affects their function. It is the highest burden that occurs in a developing country. Ethiopia is one of the top ten countries in the world, which has a high burden of HIV-infected children. Even if the country works hard on the PMCT program, still there is challenging on MTCT reduction.Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of HIV-positive infants born to HIV-positive mothers attending anti-retroviral treatment (ART) services at the University of Gondar specialized hospital, Gondar, northwest Ethiopia, 2018.Methods: A retrospective chart review study was conducted from February to April 2018, among HIV-exposed infants who born to HIV-positive mothers in ART service at the University of Gondar specialized hospital. A systematic sampling method was applied to select study participants. Data were entered into EPI info version 7 statistical software and transferred to SPSS version 20 for analysis.Results: In this study, 239 participants were enrolled, with a 98.8% response rate. The prevalence of HIV-positive infants born to HIV-positive mothers was 5.5% with a 95% CI (3.0– 8.5%). Of the mothers, 77.1% were within 25– 35 years of age range. Of the total infants, 56.8% were males. From these HIV-positive infants, 13 (5.5%) were born from age ranges of 25– 35years old mothers, 9(3.8%) were females, 8(3.4%) were 6– 11 months old, 13 (5.5%) were post-term gestation, and 13 (5.5%) were maternal CD4+ less than 350/mm3.Conclusion and Recommendations: The prevalence of HIV-positive infants born to HIV-positive mothers in this study was lower than the previous 10.2%. To reduce such infant HIV infection to zero, it needs proactive action from stakeholders, health professionals, and the community at large.Keywords: HIV-exposed infant, HIV-positive mother

Keywords

• hiv exposed infant
• hiv positive mother