[Evaluation of missed opportunities in the control of vertical HIV transmission in Rio Branco, Acre State, Brazil]

HIV in pregnant woman and children: Mother-to-child transmission of HIV in the Brazilian land border from 2010 to 2021

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to analyze the profile and trends of HIV mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) in the Brazilian land border strip (LBS).

METHODS

This was a quantitative, ecological, and cross-sectional study using secondary data available in the information systems of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. All cases reported in the Notifiable Diseases Information System between 2010 and 2021 were studied.

RESULTS

Between 2010 and 2021, 275 children were born infected through MTCT, and 6076 pregnant women were living with HIV in the Brazilian LBS. HIV detection rates in pregnant women increased in all border arcs. The northern arc experienced the highest increase (19.6%), followed by the central arc (11.4%), and the southern arc (6.1%). Despite historically high detection rates, the southern arc exhibited the smallest increase. While MTCT rate decreased by 37.7% in the border area, the central arc showed no statistically significant reduction. In 2021, the average age of pregnant women was 26.2 years, 25.7% had up to 8 years of schooling, and 55.8% identified as non-white. The majority (92.8%) received antenatal care, and 59.7% were diagnosed with HIV before prenatal care. The use of prophylactic antiretroviral therapy during prenatal care occurred in 69.6% of pregnant women, and infant prophylaxis was provided within first 24 h to 43.6% of live births.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate progress in reducing MTCT cases in Brazilian LBS. Disparities in HIV detection rates may be influenced by differences in testing uptake, despite mandatory testing for all babies. It is crucial to continue implementing strategies to reach these women and ensure equitable access to healthcare services for MTCT prevention.

Vertical transmission of HIV to neonates in a reference hospital in Northeastern Brazil from 2013 to 2017

The aim of this study was to estimate the rate of Mother-to-child Transmission (MTCT) of HIV to neonates in a reference university hospital in Sao Luis city, the capital of Maranhao State (MA), evaluating MTCT-associated factors. A retrospective cohort study based on data from the Notifiable Diseases Data System (SINAN) was carried out and included all HIV-exposed neonates notified from 2013 to 2017 by the university hospital. The study population comprised 725 HIV-exposed neonates, of whom 672 neonates were exposed and uninfected, and 53 were exposed and infected. The estimated rate of MTCT in the period of 2013 to 2017 was 7.3%. Most pregnant women were ≥ 20 years old (86.9%), reported ≥ 8 years of schooling (53.2%), reported full-time or independent paid work (46.9%) and were residents in other cities of the state (61.7%). Regarding healthcare, 86.3% received prenatal care, 74.6% received Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) as prophylaxis during pregnancy, 81.8% received ART prophylaxis during childbirth and 78.1% underwent cesarean section. Among the neonates, 92.8% received ART prophylaxis and 94.3% were not breastfed. Despite these variables, the 7.3% MTCT rate found in this study makes it clear that the interventions recommended by the Ministry of Health were not fully adopted.

Booklet for knowledge and prevention of HIV mother-to-child transmission: a pilot study of a randomized clinical trial

ABSTRACT Objective: To test the effectiveness of the booklet, compared to the usual service care, in the increase of the knowledge of pregnant/puerperal women living with HIV, for the prevention of HIV-VT. Method: Pilot study of a randomized controlled clinical trial, initially with 104 pregnant women living with HIV, with a final sample of 45 women. It was held in three public maternity hospitals in Fortaleza-CE, from January/2017 to May/2018. The control group received regular care from the service and the intervention group had access to the booklet as an additive. The research was carried out in three phases: baseline; evaluation 2, in prenatal care; and evaluation 3, in the postpartum period. Results: There was no intergroup difference in the women’s mean knowledge score (short-term p = 0.473; long-term p = 0.151). However, in the intragroup analysis, the booklet proved to be effective in improving the pregnant women’s knowledge in the intervention group, in the short term (p = 0.002) and long term (p = 0.033). Conclusion: There was an improvement in knowledge within the intervention group over time, but there was no difference in women’s knowledge in the intergroup analysis. Thus, based on this pilot, a broader study on the use of booklet is required to prove its effectiveness (ReBEC: UTN: U1111-1191-9954).

Cartilha para conhecimento e prevenção da transmissão vertical do HIV: estudo piloto de ensaio clínico randomizado

RESUMO Objetivo: Testar efetividade de cartilha, em comparação ao atendimento habitual do serviço, no aumento do conhecimento de gestantes/puérperas que vivem com HIV, para prevenção da TV-HIV. Método: Piloto de ensaio clínico randomizado controlado, inicialmente com 104 gestantes que vivem com HIV, com amostra final de 45 mulheres. Realizado em três maternidades públicas de Fortaleza-CE, de janeiro/2017 a maio/2018. O grupo controle recebeu atendimento habitual do serviço e o grupo intervenção teve como aditivo acesso à cartilha. A pesquisa foi realizada em três fases: linha de base; avaliação 2, no pré-natal; e avaliação 3, no pós-parto. Resultados: Não houve diferença intergrupos na média da pontuação do conhecimento das mulheres (curto prazo p = 0,473; longo prazo p = 0,151). Porém, na análise intragrupo, a cartilha se mostrou efetiva para melhorar o conhecimento das gestantes do grupo intervenção, em curto prazo (p = 0,002) e longo prazo (p = 0,033). Conclusão Houve melhora do conhecimento dentro do grupo intervenção, ao longo do tempo, porém não foi evidenciada diferença quanto ao conhecimento das mulheres na análise intergrupos. Assim, a cartilha carece da realização de estudo mais amplo, a partir deste piloto, para comprovação de sua efetividade (ReBEC: UTN: U1111-1191-9954).