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. 2024 May 1;38(6):875-885.
doi: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000003827. Epub 2024 Jan 4.

Evaluation of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV programs at the second immunization visit in Burkina Faso and Zambia

Souleymane Tassembedo  1   2 , Mwiya Mwiya  3 , Anais Mennecier  2 , Chipepo Kankasa  3 , Paulin Fao  1 , Jean Pierre Molès  2 , Dramane Kania  1 , Catherine Chunda-Liyoka  3 , Béninwendé Leticia Delphine Sakana  1 , Morgana D'Ottavi  2 , Ajani Ousmane Taofiki  1 , David Rutagwera  3 , Maria Melany Wilfred-Tonga  3 , Thorkild Tylleskär  4 , Nicolas Nagot  2 , Philippe Van de Perre  2 ; for the PROMISE-EPI Study Group
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Evaluation of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV programs at the second immunization visit in Burkina Faso and Zambia

Souleymane Tassembedo et al. AIDS. .

Abstract

Objective: Our study aimed to assess the PMTCT indicators in Burkina Faso and Zambia using a patient-orientated innovative strategy based on the second visit in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI-2) visit at 6-8 weeks.

Design: This was a cross sectional study.

Methods: We assessed women attending EPI-2 at primary healthcare facilities in Burkina Faso and Zambia with their children about their exposure to PMTCT interventions. For women living with HIV (WLHIV), viral load was measured and their children were tested for HIV DNA using point of care devices.

Results: Overall, 25 093 were enrolled from Burkina Faso and 8961 women from Zambia. Almost, all women attended at least one antenatal care visit. Among those aware of their HIV-positive status, 95.8 and 99.2% were on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Burkina Faso and Zambia, respectively. Among WLHIV on ART, 75 and 79.2% achieved a viral load suppression (viral load <1000 copies/ml) in Burkina Faso and Zambia, respectively. Infant postnatal prophylaxis was administered from birth until EPI-2 to 60.9 and 89.7% of HIV-exposed children in Burkina Faso and Zambia, respectively. In Burkina Faso, only 60 of 192 (31.3%) of HIV-exposed children were sampled at day 42 for early infant diagnosis (EID) and 3 (1.6%) received a result by EPI-2. In Zambia, these figures were 879 of 1465 (64.0%) and 9.9% (145/1465), respectively for HIV-exposed children sampled at birth.

Conclusion: This evaluation strategy at EPI-2 visit could strengthen program monitoring and help identifying gaps to be addressed on the last mile towards elimination of MTCT of HIV.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Study flow chart.
Fig. 1 (Continued)
Fig. 1 (Continued)
Study flow chart.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Cascade of care for women living with HIV at expanded program on immunization in Burkina Faso and Zambia.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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