Evaluation of Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission Programme at a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Most children acquire human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection through mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). The risk of MTCT of HIV is generally 15%–40% without prophylaxis. MTCT has been responsible for approximately 370,000 infant HIV infections worldwide, with Nigeria accounting for 30% of cases. The study evaluated the effectiveness of a prevention program for MTCT of HIV infection by determining the rate of MTCT of HIV in infants who underwent the program by reviewing health records of mother–infant pairs at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital. This cross-sectional study conducted over 12 years used medical records of 545 mother–infant pairs. The rate of MTCT of HIV infection was 2.9% in this study compared to 7.1% reported by the center earlier. The rate of MTCT of HIV infection was the lowest among mother–infant pairs who received prophylaxis. Ages at recruitment are a strong determinant of the risk of infection. Late usage of the MTCT prevention service is a risk for HIV infection in exposed infants.