Abstract:

Background: It has been shown that nearly all pediatric seropositive HIV cases were infected via their seropositive mothers, as well; almost all of these cases can be prevented through a robust PMTCT service that provides extremely effective Anti-retroviral therapy and prophylactic intervention (FMOH, 2010).

As we work towards elimination of MTCT of HIV in our country, the importance of this review of PMTCT services cannot be over emphasized.

Objectives: The objectives of the study were; to assess the prevalence of HIV among pregnant women who attended ANC at the Health center (January –December, 2015). 2. To evaluate the percentage of HIV positive pregnant women who were placed on ART in the review period. 3. To ascertain the percentage of babies born to HIV positive mothers who were given ART in the review period.

Methods: Secondary data review was employed in this descriptive cross-sectional study. It involved data extraction from ANC booking registers, PMTCT HIV screening registers, ART administration registers and case/delivery notes of HIV positive mothers, covering the review period of January-December 2015, in the study center.

Results: All the 1,418 ANC clients reviewed were screened for HIV with a sero-prevalence of 2.8%. However, the percentage of seropositive clients who were placed on ART was 75%, while, 25% were lost to follow-up. Furthermore, only 33% of the babies born to seropositive mothers received ART prophylaxis in this center.

Conclusion: An ANC sero-prevalence of 2.8% with below average ART initiation for positive pregnant women and babies born to them portends great danger towards elimination of MTCT of HIV. Therefore the study recommends urgent strengthening of PMTCT in this center and other similar centers across the country.

Keywords: PMTCT, Ante-Natal Care, HIV, Prevalence, Anti-Retroviral Therapy, Primary Health Centre

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