HIV/AIDS: Research and Palliative Care (Feb 2021)

Retention in Care and Health Outcomes of HIV-Exposed Infants in a Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) Cohort in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

  • Alamdo AG,
  • King EJ

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 13
pp. 171 – 179

Abstract

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Andamlak Gizaw Alamdo,1 Elizabeth J King2 1Department of Public Health, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 2Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USACorrespondence: Andamlak Gizaw AlamdoDepartment of Public Health, St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, PO Box 1271, Swaziland Street, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaTel +251 912038993Email [email protected]: Currently, a high number of mother–infant cohorts do not complete the full cascade of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services in Ethiopia. This study examined the level of HIV-exposed infants discharged negative and rate of loss to follow-up (LTFU) in a mother–infant cohort in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in selected public health facilities of Addis Ababa. Data were abstracted from infant and mother registration cards and mother–infant cohort follow-up charts. The proportion of HIV-exposed infants discharged negative was examined. LTFU was then analyzed and a Kaplan–Meier survival curve was used to estimate Cumulative probability of LTFU among the different groups. Cox proportional hazard model was used to determine significant factors associated with LTFU.Results: Three hundred fifty six mother–infant pairs were included in this study. The LTFU rate at the end of follow-up period was of 13.2% (95% CI= 9.83– 17.6%) and an overall HIV transmission rate of 0.61% was observed. Younger women (AHR=0.90, 95% CI = 0.83– 0.97) and those who were newly diagnosed at the time of entry to PMTCT (AHR=0.35, 95% CI = 0.18– 0.68) were less likely to complete PMTCT.Conclusion: High retention to PMTCT services and low mother-to-child HIV transmission rate was observed. To successfully achieve the PMTCT program outcomes, more emphasis should be given to younger women and to those newly enrolled in the PMTCT program.Keywords: PMTCT, loss to follow-up, option B+, ART, Ethiopia

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