Ong'ech JO, Kiarie JN, Mbori-Ngacha D, Gachoki AW; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).
Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. ThPeB7059.
University of Nairobi, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
Issues: PMCT programs are being up-scaled in many countries of sub-Saharan Africa. However the impact of these programs remains limited as they fail to reach majority of parturients. There is need to increase the number of women who learn their HIV status and benefit from these programs. Description: The PMCT program at the Kenyatta hospital has been operational since September 2000 and has focused mainly on offering services to women attending the antenatal clinic. HIV prevalence in antenatal women at the hospital is 10% and the uptake of testing, prophylactic antiretroviral drugs and replacement feeds is 80%, 90%, and 60% respectively. However despite having this well-functioning PMCT program, only 36% of the women delivering in the hospital know their HIV status. In December 2003 HIV testing was introduced in the labor ward and post natal wards for women presenting with unknown HIV status. To date 135 and 81 untested women have been admitted to the labor and postnatal wards respectively. HIV test uptake in the labor ward is 40% (54/135) and 25% (15/81) in the postnatal ward. HIV prevalence is 24% in women tested in labor ward and 40% in women who are tested in the postnatal ward. All HIV infected women identified in labor and the immediate post-partum period receive prophylactic antiretroviral drugs and the uptake of replacement feeding is 23%. Lesson learnt: 1. HIV testing is feasible in women presenting in labor with unknown HIV status 2. HIV prevalence is higher in unbooked women and those who present to hospital in advanced labor 3. Inclusion of HIV counseling and testing in labor ward and postnatal wards has the potential to reach a larger number of high-risk women. Recommendation: PMCT programs should extend to include counseling and testing during labor and in the immediate postnatal period.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Africa South of the Sahara
- Animals
- Counseling
- Female
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Hospitals, Public
- Humans
- Kenya
- Labor, Obstetric
- Nairobi Sheep Disease
- Pregnancy
- Prevalence
- Research Design
- Sheep
Other ID:
UI: 102280840
From Meeting Abstracts