Brief Report: HIV Testing Among Pregnant Women Who Attend Antenatal Care in Malawi. (15th August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tenthani, Lyson; Haas, Andreas D.; Egger, Matthias; van Oosterhout, Joep J; Jahn, Andreas; Chimbwandira, Frank; Tal, Kali; Myer, Landon; Estill, Janne; Keiser, Olivia
• Is Part Of: Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes. Volume 69:Number 5(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-08-15
• Subjects: PMTCT -- HIV testing -- antenatal care -- supplies -- Malawi; AIDS (Disease) -- Periodicals; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease); Periodicals; 616.9792005
• DOI: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000000669
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1525-4135

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: Malawi adopted the Option B+ strategy in 2011. Its success in reducing mother-to-child transmission depends on coverage and timing of HIV testing. We assessed HIV status ascertainment and its predictors during pregnancy. HIV status ascertainment was 82.3% (95% confidence interval: 80.2 to 85.9) in the pre-Option B+ period and 85.7% (95% confidence interval: 83.4 to 88.0) in the Option B+ period. Higher HIV ascertainment was independently associated with higher age, attending antenatal care more than once, and registration in 2010. The observed high variability of HIV ascertainment between sites (50.6%–97.7%) and over time suggests that HIV test kit shortages and insufficient numbers of staff posed major barriers to reducing mother-to-child transmission.