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Prevention of mother-to-child transmission outcomes in the private sector in central Durban


SM Cassim
JH Botha

Abstract

The prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programme in the central region of Ethekweni Metro, KwaZulu-Natal (Durban central area), was investigated. Data for all HIV-exposed infants from eight private paediatric practices seen between January 2004 and June 2005 were reviewed retrospectively. One hundred and one black African infants were born to 100 HIV-positive women of average age 30 years. Median viral loads and CD4 counts were 11 391 copies/ml and 426 cells/μl, respectively. Eighty-six women received HAART and 5 had no prophylaxis. Of the 92 infants tested, 2 were HIV positive, giving a transmission rate of 2.2%. Both their others had received suboptimal prophylaxis, and if they are excluded, the transmission rate falls to less than 1%, a rate consistent with those in the developed world.

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eISSN: 2078-6751
print ISSN: 1608-9693