Assessment of ART treatment and vertical transmission of HIV-1 among infants born from HIV- 1 positive mothers visiting University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital and Metema hospital, North West Ethiopia

Abstract

Mother-to-child transmission of HIV is a major public health concern. Despite the use of antiretroviral prophylaxis by HIV-positive pregnant women and their infants, safe obstetric practice and safe infant feeding habits in the prevention of Mother-to-child transmission of HIV, the prevalence of HIV among HIV-exposed infants is still high. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of mother to child transmission among HIV exposed infants. A crosssectional study was conducted among HIV exposed infants who visited the University of Gondar Comprehensive Hospital and metema Hospital for prevention of mother to child transmission service from January 2020 to May 2020. A total of 95 HIV exposed infants born from HIV seropositive mothers were participated in this study. Data was checked for accuracy and processed and analyzed by SPSS version 20. A descriptive statistics were utilized. The prevalence of mother to child transmission of HIV was 1.1 % (0-3.2). Mother to child transmission of HIV is a major public health burden. The prevalence is still high as compared to the WHO goal of the HIV free infant. To obtain a zero prevalence of MTCT, antenatal HIV screening, Maternal PMTCT and Infant prophylaxis interventions should be strengthen