Vertical Transmission Rate of HIV from Seropositive Mothers Followed in the Different Care Centers in Kinshasa from 2010 to 2015

Abstract

Background: In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the use of Prevention of Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection from mother to child is still very low. Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of infants born from HIV-positive mother in different centers in Kinshasa. Methods: This study is a retrospective cohort of at least 2 years on the records of mother-child couple followed in 8 centers of Kinshasa. Based on a sample survey form with specific criteria, some files were selected. Results: The record keeping of all centers was estimated at 70% on average; the most represented age group was from 26 to 35 years with 102 women (54%) out of 190. Forty-five percent (45%) of pregnant women started pre-natal consultation (CPN) in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. All mothers had been diagnosed with 3 Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT). The majority of women were under: AZT 3TC NVP and CTX and 139 (73%) women were diagnosed at stage 1 of HIV infection according to WHO’s standard. One hundred new born were male. Seventy-eight newborns weighed between 2.01 and 3.00 kg at birth. Ninety seven percent of newborns were treated at birth. Ninety-one children who were on Nevirapine syrup; six of them were not put on treatment. Ninety five percent of newborns were diagnosed HIV-negative 9 months after birth by PCR; 2% of children were undiagnosed as a result of refusal and 3% of children had undetermined serology. This gives a mother-to-child transmission rate of 2% at 9 months of birth for the centers of Kinshasa. Conclusion: Despite the insufficient coverage of the PMTCT service in our community, the centers in Kinshasa respond to the PMTCT approach and the transmission rate in the 8 centers of 4 districts of Kinshasa is 2%.

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Chuga, D. , Bulanda, B. , Kabasele, J. , Okonda, M. , Bongenya, B. and Kamangu, E. (2018) Vertical Transmission Rate of HIV from Seropositive Mothers Followed in the Different Care Centers in Kinshasa from 2010 to 2015. Open Access Library Journal, 5, 1-7. doi: 10.4236/oalib.1104769.

1. Introduction

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a condition that causes a fall in the natural immune defenses caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Since 1981, HIV and AIDS have been a major public health problem in the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa [1] . In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the average prevalence was 1.2% for HIV infection in 2013 [2] . Although the response to HIV infection and AIDS is winning globally, the number of new infections has dropped by 17% in eight years [3] . However, optimism remains measured since it counts every day in the world 7400 new infections, including 1200 cases in children [3] . The decline in the vertical transmission of HIV is increasing worldwide through the work of the organizations involved in the response to HIV infection in the newborn and the HIV-positive mother. In the DRC, this response is not yet satisfactory [4] .

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in its protocol on PMTCT the adoption of a single scheme (option A) for ART in pregnant women would not be enough. The arrival of the third, option B+, would strengthen links to achieve a better result [5] . In the DRC this option was adopted in 2012 [6] . Estimating this prevalence is possible only by looking at HIV-positive mothers and basing themselves on knowledge of key indicators such as the period of treatment of HIV-positive pregnant women and the choice of type breastfeeding which will influence mother-to-child transmission of HIV [7] . This study aims to evaluate PMTCT and to estimate the prevalence of mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection in different centers in Kinshasa.

2. Methods

The present study is a 2-year retrospective cohort based on the records of mother-child pairs in 8 different centers in Kinshasa. It was composed of 309 files, of which 190 mother-child pairs were selected.

Based on a modeled survey form and on very specific criteria: 1) monitoring centers with a maternity unit organizing and offering PMTCT services for at least 2 years; 2) records of any patient up to 18 years of age, diagnosed HIV-positive at the follow-up center confirmed by at least 2 Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT-Determines, Unigold, and/or Double Check); with confirmation with a 3rd RDT in case of doubt according to WHO recommendation [4] ; 3) women having given birth in this follow-up center; 4) women who have attended pre-natal consultation (CPN) in this specific center; 5) records containing all anthropometric and socio-demographic data. The important information had been collected from the records of the mother-child couple on different items of interest; regarding mothers: 1) their age, 2) the age of pregnancy at the beginning of prenatal consultation, 3) the date of HIV testing, 4) the method of diagnosis, 5) the clinical stage at start, 6) the type of treatment regimen and 7) the treatment start date were selected as parameters of interest for the mother. For newborns: 1) date of birth, 2) gender, 3) weight, 4) height, 5) therapeutic regimen at birth, 6) date of screening, and 7) the diagnostic method were used as the parameter of interest for newborns.

3. Results

The record keeping in all the centers was estimated at 70% on average. It was estimated at 100% for the Maternity of Kintambo, 92% for the Mother and Child Center of Bumbu (MCCB), 82% for the Saint Gabriel Center, 79% for Pilot Maternity of Masina, 71% for the Mother and Child Center of Ngaba (MCCN), 67% for the Emerald Center, 41% for the Kasa-Vubu Trinity Center and 29% for the Binza Maternity Center. Of the 190 selected cases of HIV-positive pregnant women, the most represented age group was that of 26 to 35 years with 102 mothers (54%), followed by those of 36 to 45 with 58 mothers (31%), as shown in Table 1.

Sixteen mothers (8%) started Prenatal Consultation (PNC) in the first trimester of pregnancy, 88 mothers (45%) started PNC in the second trimester of pregnancy and 50 mothers (26%) in the third trimester of pregnancy. All mothers were diagnosed with the 3 RDT according to the national program recommendations. One hundred and thirty-nine mothers (73%) were diagnosed at stage 1 of HIV infection, 45 mothers (24%) diagnosed at stage 2 and 6 mothers (3%) had been diagnosed at stage 3. All mothers were on first-line anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs). The majority of women (71%) were on AZT + 3TC + NVP plus cotrimoxazole (CTX), 13% of women on TDF + 3TC + EVP, 8% on AZT + CTX, 3% on AZT + EFV, 0.5% on AZT + FN and AZT + L each, 0.5% under B + and 0.5% had refused treatment.

For the newborns, the male gender was the most represented, with 100 boys (52%) compared to 48% girls, while at birth 78 newborns (41%) weighed between 2.01 and 3.00 kg weight, followed by those weighing between 3.01 and 4.00 kg (34%), 2% weighed between 1.00 and 2.00 kg and those weighing more than 4.00 kg were 3 (2%). One hundred eighty five newborns (97%) were being treated at birth, 49% were on Nevirapine syrup, 45% had Nevirapine syrup and CTX, and 6% under CTX only. Six children were not put on treatment. Ninety five percent of newborns born from HIV-positive mothers were diagnosed HIV negative 9 months after birth by PCR, 2% of newborns were undiagnosed as a

Table 1. Sociodemographic data of mothers included in the study.

KTC: Kasavubu Trinity Center, MCCB: Mother and Child Center of Bumbu, MCCN: Mother and Child Center of Ngaba, PMM: Pilote Maternity of Masina, AZT: Zidovudine, 3TC: Lamivudine, NVP: Nevirapine, CTX: Cotrimoxazole, TDF: Tenofovir, EFV: Efavirenz.

result of parental refusal and 3% of newborns had indeterminate serology for HIV.

4. Discussion

The objective of this study was to evaluate PMTCT and to estimate the prevalence of mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection in different centers in Kinshasa. Record keeping in all centers was estimated at 70% on average; 100% for the Maternity of Kintambo, 92% for Mother and Child Center of Bumbu, 82% for Saint Gabriel center, 79% for Pilot Maternity in Masina, 71% for Mother and Child Center of Ngaba, 67% for the Emerald center, 41% for the Kasa-Vubu Trinity Center and 29% for the Binza Maternity Center. This corroborates data from the literature reported in our community that states poor record keeping in the centers [8] .

The most represented age group was of 26 to 35 years with 102 mothers (54%). This could be explained by the fact that this age group is one that has a high sexual activity [7] and that the prevalence of HIV infection in women increases with age [2] [8] [9] . UNAIDS in its report adds that the age group with a high prevalence among pregnant women attending PNC over the world was of 25 to 49 years followed by that of 20 to 24 years [3] . The study by Kimbala and al. in Lubumbashi on HIV prevention from mother-to-child showed attendance of seropositive serrate women with the possibility of increasing the rate of PMTCT [10] .

Sixteen mothers (8%) attended the Prenatal Clinic (PNC) in the first trimester of pregnancy, 86 mothers (45%) in the second trimester of pregnancy and 50 mothers (26%) in the third trimester of pregnancy. While 45% of mothers presented to PNC in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, national guidelines recommend the first PNC visit during the 1st trimester of pregnancy for better medical management of pregnancy, so that women benefit from the benefits associated with options to reduce Maternal-Fetal Transmission, as they need to be aware of their HIV status and accept it for proper management [7] . This corroborates the literature data reported by Mwemba et al. which states that all pregnant women do not correctly follow PNC sessions [11] .

All mothers had been diagnosed with 2 or 3 RDT (190 with Determine, 189 with Unigold and 162 with Double Check) as recommended by national guidelines [6] [7] . One hundred and thirty-nine mothers (73%) were diagnosed at stage 1 of HIV infection according to WHO’s recommendations, 45 (24%) were diagnosed at stage 2, and 6 (3%) at stage 3. All mothers were on first-line of ARVs. Seventy-one percent (71%) were on AZT + 3TC + NVP plus CTX, 13% of women on TDF + 3TC + EVP, 8% on AZT + CTX, 3% on AZT + EFV, 0.5% on AZT + FN and AZT + L each, 0.5% under B+ and 0.5% had refused treatment. More than 70% of women being on the AZT + 3TC + NVP and CTX regimen confirm that the latter is the preferential regime for the management of pregnant women in our environment [4] and approved by the study made in Lubumbashi that guarantees that the reduction of transmission is effective in a standard association used initially and in a greater way [10] [11] .

For newborns, the male gender was more represented with more boys (52%) than girls. Contrary to the study made in Lubumbashi by Mwemba et al. who made known that the female sex was the most dominant than boys (62.5% against 37.5%) [12] . At birth, 78 children (41%) weighed between 2.01 and 3.00 kg weight, followed by 34% who weighed between 3.01 and 4.00 kg, 2% weighing between 1.00 and 2.00 kg and only 3 (2%) weighing more than 4.00 kg. This confirms the report of the literature which stated that infant safety is to be monitored with a higher risk of low birth weight at delivery. In addition, 185 newborns (97%) were put on treatment when 6 were not. Out of the 185, 49% were on NVP syrup, 45% were on a combination of NVP syrup plus CTX and 6% were only on CTX.

However, the United Nations program in charge of the AIDS (UNAIDS) stated in its progress report on the Global Plan that most of the priority countries still had a long way to go; Cameroon, Chad, Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia, which provided treatment to less than 10% of their Children Living with HIV (CLHIV) [3] . The treatment with NVP is so important because of its efficacy, simplicity and cost [13] .

Ninety five percent (95%) of children born to HIV-positive mothers were diagnosed HIV negative 9 months after birth by PCR and 2% were not diagnosed as a result of their parents’ refusal. This confirms that the acceptability of this diagnosis is often low. In accordance with the panel’s recommendations that this test should be used in children under 18 months of age with perinatal exposure and at 14 to 21 days, 1 to 2 months to 4 to 6 months and 2 to 4 weeks after discontinuation of ARV prophylaxis. Bukongo NR, in his dissertation, stated that the guide to the management of HIV infection in children in the DRC recommends screening of HIV infection by PCR from 0 to 24 months and a second confirmation test by ELISA [14] . Out of the 98% of those diagnosed, 3 children (2%) were diagnosed positive by PCR. This gives a mother-to-child transmission rate of 2% at 9 months of birth for the Kinshasa monitoring centers.

5. Conclusion

Despite the structural shortcomings encountered, the results obtained from this study indicate that the management of HIV-positive pregnant women in the centers of Kinshasa responds to the approach of PMTCT and that the monitoring of mother-child couples is done correctly. The vertical transmission rate is of 2%.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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