Clinics in Mother and Child Health

Preventing Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus from Mother to Child in Resource-Constrained Countries

Marco Massari^* Department of Health Care, St. Joseph Medical Center, Stockton, California, USA
^*Correspondence: Marco Massari, Department of Health Care, St. Joseph Medical Center, Stockton, California, USA, Email:

Received: 02-Feb-2023, Manuscript No. CMCH-23-20131; Editor assigned: 06-Feb-2023, Pre QC No. CMCH-23-20131 (PQ); Reviewed: 20-Feb-2023, QC No. CMCH-23-20131; Revised: 27-Feb-2023, Manuscript No. CMCH-23-20131 (R); Published: 06-Mar-2023, DOI: 10.35248/2090-7214.23.20.450

About the Study

Preventing mother-to-child transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a critical public health issue. The transmission of HIV from a mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding is called Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT). The MTCT of HIV can have devastating consequences for both the mother and the child, and it is estimated that globally, around 400,000 children are infected with HIV each year. This study discusses the strategies used to prevent MTCT of HIV, their effectiveness, and the challenges to their implementation.

Antiretroviral therapy

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is the main strategy used to prevent MTCT of HIV. ART works by reducing the amount of HIV in the mother's blood, also known as the viral load. ART taken during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding has been shown to be highly effective in reducing the risk of MTCT of HIV. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that all pregnant women living with HIV receive ART to prevent MTCT of HIV.

Optimal timing of ART initiation

The timing of ART initiation is critical to its effectiveness in preventing MTCT of HIV. The earlier ART is started, the lower the risk of MTCT of HIV. The WHO recommends that ART be initiated as soon as possible after a woman is diagnosed with HIV and not later than the start of the third trimester of pregnancy.

Caesarean section (C-section)

The mode of delivery can also impact the risk of MTCT of HIV. Delivery by C-section has been shown to be highly effective in reducing the risk of MTCT of HIV, particularly in cases where the mother has a high viral load. The WHO recommends that women living with HIV who have a high viral load should deliver by C-section to prevent MTCT of HIV.

Infant prophylaxis

In addition to ART for the mother, infant prophylaxis can also be used to prevent MTCT of HIV. Infant prophylaxis involves administering antiretroviral drugs to the infant after birth. This strategy has been shown to be highly effective in reducing the risk of MTCT of HIV, especially when combined with ART for the mother and optimal timing of ART initiation.

Challenges to implementation

Despite the effectiveness of ART, C-section, and infant prophylaxis in preventing MTCT of HIV, there are several challenges to their implementation. These include limited access to healthcare, poor health infrastructure, stigma and discrimination, and lack of knowledge about HIV and its transmission. To overcome these challenges, it is necessary to increase access to healthcare, improve health infrastructure, and increase awareness and education about HIV and its transmission.

Conclusion

Preventing MTCT of HIV is a critical public health issue, and ART, C-section, and infant prophylaxis are effective strategies in reducing the risk of MTCT of HIV. Despite the effectiveness of these strategies, there are several challenges to their implementation that must be overcome to ensure that all women and children have access to the care they need to prevent MTCT of HIV. To achieve this, it is necessary to continue to improve access to healthcare, increase awareness and education about HIV and its transmission, and to work towards ending stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.