INTRODUCTION Cost-effectiveness analysis are crucial in the management of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, particularly in resource-limited settings. Such analyses have not been performed in the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT). OBJECTIVE Cost-effectiveness analysis of HAART approach in Malawi for PMTCT. METHODS In 2 health cen...

BACKGROUND Integration of family planning services (FPS) into human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care for HIV-infected women is an important aspect of the global prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) strategy. We assessed the integration of FPS into routine care of HIV-infected mothers by evaluating the uptake and barriers of contraception and PMTCT services. METHODS We conducted...

BACKGROUND Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT) has been identified as the greatest means of HIV infection among children. Adherence to antiretroviral drugs is necessary to prevent drug resistance and MTCT of HIV among HIV positive women. However, there is a gap in clients' knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT)...

Interactions between patients and service providers frequently influence uptake of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) HIV services in sub-Saharan Africa, but this process has not been examined in depth. This study explores how patient-provider relations influence PMTCT service use in four government facilities in Kisesa, Tanzania. Qualitative data were collected in 2012 through ...

BACKGROUND According to the South African Policy and guidelines for the implementation of the PMTCT programme of 2008, all pregnant women who tested HIV-positive also had to have their CD4 count measured in order to inform the option of Prevention of Mother-to-Child Treatment (PMTCT): to be put on lifelong treatment or to be placed on temporary PMTCT. They were required to return for the result...

BACKGROUND Global coverage of prevention of mother-to-child (PMTCT) services reached 53% in 2009. However the number of pregnant women who test positive for HIV in antenatal clinics and who link into long-term HIV care is not known in many resource-poor countries. We measured the proportion of HIV-positive pregnant women in Mwanza city, Tanzania, who completed the cascade of care from antenatal...

Two years after the introduction of provider-initiated, opt-out HIV counselling and testing during antenatal care (ANC) in Uganda, HIV testing uptake is still low. This study was carried out to explore pregnant women's experiences of, and views on, the policies for opt-out, and couple HIV testing, and to understand how the policy implementation could be improved in order to increase access to p...

BACKGROUND While countries strengthen their health information systems, local health managers require alternative strategies to monitor their prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programmes to improve coverage and service delivery. OBJECTIVE To demonstrate the use of a postpartum audit to establish PMTCT coverage and programme deficiencies at hospitals and multiple primary healt...

BACKGROUND Botswana has high HIV prevalence among pregnant women (37.4% in 2003) and provides free services for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. Nearly all pregnant women (>95%) have antenatal care (ANC) and deliver in hospital. Uptake of antenatal HIV testing was low from 1999 through 2003. In 2004, Botswana's President declared that HIV testing should be "routine but...

Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT) of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a confirmed source of HIV infection in pediatrics. An estimated 90% of pediatrics acquired HIV infection during pregnancy, labour, delivery and breastfeeding. Generally, HIV/AIDS is one among the global public health problem, that over two decades has continue to constitute a serious threat to the social mental, emotio...