Optimizing PMTCT efforts by repeat HIV testing during antenatal and perinatal care in resource-limited settings: A longitudinal assessment of HIV seroconversion.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Mother to child transmission (MTCT) of HIV remains a challenge in resource-limited settings. Central to elimination of MTCT is effective Provider Initiated HIV Counseling and Testing (PICT). Research has shown that conducting PICT only at the initial antenatal care (ANC) visit fails to benefit pregnant women who seroconvert later in their pregnancy. This study aimed to determine the most cost effective time to perform repeat HIV testing during ANC and perinatal care (PNC). METHODS:We studied the repeat HIV testing results of pregnant women ≥ 18 and adolescent girls aged 15-17 in the Sauri, Kenya Millennium Villages Project (MVP) site. Nurses provided HIV screening to 1,403 expectant women and 256 adolescent girls following the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th ANC visits, at birth and 6 and

SUBMITTER: Mushamiri I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7259594 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature