Summary

In this Study Session, you have learned that:

• Without intervention, it is estimated that 40 out of every 100 babies (40%) born to HIV-infected mothers will be HIV-infected.
  
• There are different risk factors for MTCT of HIV during pregnancy, labour and postnatal (breastfeeding) periods. For example, during breastfeeding, there are the following risk factors:

• The long duration of breastfeeding.
• Maternal new HIV infection.
• Breast infection.
• Four prong prevention of HIV from HIV+ mother to the infant can be achieved by:
  
• Increasing woman's access to ART.
• Providing ARV prophylaxis to the newborn.
• Ensuring safer delivery practice.
• Decreasing HIV transmission through breastfeeding.
• Option B+ encourages initiation of ART and continuing it lifelong. The advantages are the following:
  

• Prolongs life and improves health & quality of life.
• Reduces the number of orphans and vulnerable children.
• Encourages people to accept HTC.
• Minimises health care expenditures.
• The points to be raised during counselling for HIV+ mother are the following:
  
• Effect of pregnancy on HIV and effect of HIV on pregnancy outcomes.
• The risk of transmission of HIV to the infant.
• Treatment options and intervention methods.
• Infant feeding options.
• Disclosure of the result to the partner.
• Follow-up of the mother and infant.
• Further fertility and contraceptive options.
• Counselling on breastfeeding options include:
  
• Exclusive breastfeeding.
• Formula feeding.