Perinatal HIV Transmisson Rate in the Public Health Region 3

Abstract

This cross - sectional survey was aimed to evaluate the HIV transmission rate from mother to infant and the uses of antiretroviral drug prophylaxis regimen in mother and infant. The causes of failure to follow up of infant for HIV infected diagnostic work up were also determined. All 456 infants who were born from HIV serological positive mothers between October 1, 2002 and September 30, 2004 in Nakhonsawan, Kamphaengphet, Pichit and Uthaithani provinces were enrolled. The data were collected using individual case record form designed for this study. It was found that 90.3% of HIV infected mothers had antenatal care, 49.4% received Zidovudine (AZT) prophylaxis during pregnancy for more than four weeks. About 85.8% received AZT during labour. Of 443 infants (97.1%) whose record were attained, 98.4% were live birth 48.6% and 48.9% of infants received AZT 1 week and 6 weeks respectively and 20.0% of infants received Nevirapine (NVP). About 78.1% of the infants was followed until HIV infected diagnostic work up was completaely done. The most common problem of failure to follow up among infants was the changes of address of untracable. Among infants which could be evaluated, the perinatal HIV transmission rate was 7.8%. In conclusion, by increasing the ANC accessibility and antiretroviral drug prophylaxis accessibilty of HIV infected mother and strengthening hospital referral system might help improving the effectiveness of perinatal HIV prevention program.