Brief Report: Impact of Option B+ on the Infant PMTCT Cascade in Lilongwe, Malawi. (1st September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Maria H.; Ahmed, Saeed; Hosseinipour, Mina C.; Yu, Xiaoying; Nguyen, Chi; Chimbwandira, Frank; Paul, Mary E.; Kazembe, Peter N.; Abrams, Elaine J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes. Volume 70:Number 1(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-09-01
• Subjects: HIV -- PMTCT -- Option B+ -- Africa -- antiretroviral -- early infant diagnosis -- Malawi; AIDS (Disease) -- Periodicals; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease); Periodicals; 616.9792005
• DOI: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000000692
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1525-4135

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: This observational study compared uptake of infant prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV services pre/post implementation of Option B+ in Lilongwe, Malawi. There were 845 (pre) and 998 (post) births. Post-B+, infants had longer median predelivery maternal antiretroviral therapy {62 days [interquartile range (IQR): 38–94] pre-B+ vs. 95 days [IQR: 61–131] post-B+; P < 0.0001} and improved polymerase chain reaction testing (82.0% vs. 86.5%; P = 0.01) at younger median age [7.6 weeks (IQR: 6.6–10.9) vs. 6.9 (IQR: 6.4–8.1); P < 0.0001]. Proportion testing polymerase chain reaction positive decreased (4.6% vs. 2.6%; P = 0.03). Proportion of HIV-infected infants starting antiretroviral therapy (75% vs. 77.3%) and age at initiation [19.7 weeks (IQR: 15.4–31.1) vs. 16 (IQR: 13.3–17.9)] remained unchanged. These findings suggest modest improvements in infant care with Option B+. Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text.