Status of New HIV Infections Among Infants Born of HIV Positive Mothers on Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya

Abstract

Introduction: The goal of Prevention of Mother to child Transmission (PMTCT) is to minimize new HIV infection with PMTCT interventions which can reduce to as low as 2%. Gusii region is number 5 among counties that contribute to 65% of new HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) in infections in Kenya. The study was to determine the prevalence of new HIV infections among infants (3 - 18 months) born of HIV positive mothers on PMTCT follow up at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (KTRH). Method: This was a descriptive cross sectional study involving 96 infants born of HIV positive mothers on PMTCT programme at Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (KTRH) was conducted. The infants were between 3 to 18 months of age. The infants were investigated for their HIV status and factors associated with prevalence. The data collection was done during postnatal checkups, antiretroviral treatment follow up and immunization schedule. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results: 13.5% (95% C.I = 10.1% to 16.9%) were found to be positive despite their mothers being on PMTCT program. There was no significant difference between gender and status of the infant (χ2 = 0.758, df = 1, p-value = 0.0384). Conclusion: The study confirms that there are still new HIV infections despite being followed up in the PMTCT program. The new HIV infections were associated with mixed feeding. Recommendation: Counseling on Infant feeding, use of ant-retroviral treatment and support from partners should be strengthen in the PMTCT program to ensure reduction of new HIV infections.