Mother to Child HIV Transmission and Its Predictors among HIV-Exposed Infants: A Retrospective Follow-Up Study in Southwest Ethiopia

<p>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</p>

“…11,21,22 The similarity might be due to the implementation of a similar program of PMTCT service. Our finding is markedly lower than those of studies conducted in Gondar (10.2%), Dire Dawa (15.7%), Jima (17%), 16,17,19 Nigeria (34.4%), Cameron (7.1%), and Burkina Faso (11.2%). [23][24][25] The possible reasons might be due to the current study used the modified WHO guideline (option B+) and the implementation of combined ART drugs regimens in the health facilities; While the other studies used the previous WHO guideline with PMCT option A+ and B implementation program.…”

“…The sample size calculated by using the single population proportion formula of 17% prevalence of HIV transmission among HIV-exposed infants taken from the previous study in southwest Ethiopia, 19 then calculated as α. n = the required sample size, Z = the value of the standard normal curve with a confidence interval of 95% was 1.96, D= the margin of error 5%, P = prevalence of HIV-positive infants; was 17%, and 10% none response rate added, the final sample size was 239. A random sampling method was used to select the first participant chart.…”

Outcomes of HIV Exposed Infants and Predictors of Positivity after Option B+ Guideline Implementation in Amhara Regional State’s Referral Hospitals, Ethiopia

“…But both of these variables had no association with HIV transmission in this study. In addition, mothers on late AIDS stage, and mothers that had not follow up of ANC were had association with increased risk of mother to child HIV transmission (41,19). This is also contradicting with this study.…”

“…For the first objective, outcomes of HIV exposed infants, a single population proportion formula was used with consideration of the following statistical assumptions: CI = cumulative incidence of HIV transmission among exposed infants, 17% (41), (Z α/2 = Z score of 95% CI, d = margin of error, 5%) (42). For the second objective, the predictors of HIV positivity, the sample size was determined using a double population proportion formula by considering mothers being on the late AIDS stage, absence of maternal PMTCT interventions, home delivery, and mixed infant feeding as the major predictor variables (41). The sample sizes of the second objective were calculated using open-epi version 7 statistical package as follows (43).…”

Editor Note

“…With similar lines Birlie et al focused on prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and performed retrospective study in Southwest Ethiopia. This study concluded that pregnant HIV positive mothers should be enrolled in PMTCT programs at earlier stage and exclusive breast feeding should be encouraged so as to decrease MTCT [2].…”