A 10 Year Review of the Impact of Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV in a Tertiary Health Centre, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Background: Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is the most significant route of HIV infection in children. Over 90% of HIV infections in children are acquired through the mother-to-child transmission route and assessing the impact of prevention is desirable.

Objective: This study aimed at evaluating the impact/effectiveness of interventions to prevent mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV.

Materials and Methods: The study employed a retrospective cohort design. Data were collected from the records of HIV-positive pregnant women who registered and received antenatal care at APIN/Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Unit of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria between January 1st, 2011 and December 31st, 2020. The cohort included HIV-exposed infants born to these mothers who were followed-up for six weeks until their HIV status was determined using DNA Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques. The data collected was analyzed using frequency, tables and percentage.

Results: A total of 2,987 pregnant women were HIV positive during the 10 years period. Among these group, only 2,185 (73.15%) with a retrieval rate of 73.15% had their records retrieved and their babies followed up till 6 weeks to determine HIV status by DNA Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). There were 2185 exposed infants. The overall MTCT rate was 2.15%, there was reduced mother to child transmission of HIV since maternal and infant ART was introduced. Mode of delivery and infant feeding practice were observed to greatly influence mother to child transmission of HIV.

Conclusion: Though this facility achieved the goal of reducing the rate of HIV mother to child transmission down to less than 3%, there is still need to strengthen service provision and follow up to conform to global plan for the total elimination of new HIV infections among children.