Impact of pre-conception knowledge of positive hiv status on uptake of pmtct interventions and infant hiv free survival

Abstract

Background Majority of HIV positive women in Kenya learn of their HIV status when they are tested at Ante-natal clinics. Knowledge of positive status prior to pregnancy allows utilization of interventions such as preconception anti-retroviral drugs to minimize risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. It is unclear to what extent women who know they are HIV infected seek and utilize interventions that reduce risk of vertical HIV transmission. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of pre-conception knowledge of positive HIV status on uptake of Prevention of Mother-to-child Transmission interventions and infant HIV free survival at Naivasha District Hospital. Methodology This will be a retrospective cohort study targeting mother-infant pairs presenting at Naivasha District Hospital Maternal and Child Health Clinic and the Comprehensive Care Clinic for HIV care. A questionnaire will be administered to collect data on socio-demographics characteristics, timing of knowledge of maternal HIV status, uptake of PMTCT interventions and infant HIV status. Kaplan-Meier analysis, Cox proportional hazard models and multivariate analysis will be utilized to assess the relationship between pre-conception knowledge of HIV and uptake of PMTCT interventions and infant HIV free survival. Significance: This study will provide useful data to health care workers and policy makers on utility of preconception care on efforts towards elimination of paediatric HIV in the country