IMPACT OF COUNSELING AND HIV TESTING FOR THE PREVENTION OF MOTHER-TO CHILD TRANSMISSION OF HIV - OUR EXPERIENCE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46793/PP250226014KKeywords:
HIV, counseling and testing, pregnant women, mother to child transmissionAbstract
Introduction: HIV counseling and testing for pregnant women is considered a key factor for successful prevention of mother to child transmission (MTCT), early diagnosis and treatment.
The aim of the paper was to explore the descriptive characteristics of HIV positive children due to MTCT transmission in the Nišava and Toplica District during 1987-2024, and prevalence of HIV testing and counseling of pregnant women at the Public Health Institute (PHI) Niš from 2004 to 2024.
Method: The Register of HIV positive patients, The Register of HIV tested patients, The Register of the clients attending Voluntary Confidentially Counseling and Testing Center and PHI data given in Statistical Annual and Analysis of health status of the population in Nišava i Toplica District were used as a study material. Descriptive method was applied.
Results: Eight HIV infected children were diagnosed due to MTCT, four boys and four girls aged 0-16 years, all from the Nišava District. Three infections were registered as clinical AIDS. Three deaths due to AIDS were registered. In the observed period, only 6.2% of all pregnant women in the Nišava and Toplica District were HIV tested at the PHI Niš. During the first three months of pregnancy and for the first time 19.6% were counseled and tested for HIV.
Conclusion: Despite great value of HIV counseling and testing of pregnant women for the prevention of MTCT of HIV, the rate of testing is negligible. It is important to increase collaboration with other health providers, especially gynecologists, in order to increase coverage of HIV tested pregnant women and prevent MTCT.
References
World Health Organization. Data on the HIV/AIDS response 2021. Dostupno na: https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/ themes/hiv-aids/data-on-the-hiv-aids-response
CDC. HIV and Pregnant Women, Infants, and Children 2021. Dostupno na: https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/group/gender/ pregnantwomen/index.html.
Pravilnik o obaveznim zdravstvenim pregledima određenih kategorija zaposlenih lica u objektima pod sanitarnim nadzorom, obaveznim i preporučenim zdravstvenim pregledima kojim podležu određene kategorije stanovništva. “Sl. glasnik RS”, br.3-2017.
Strategija za prevenciju i kontrolu HIV infekcije i AIDS-a u Republici Srbiji, 2018-2025.godine. “Sl. glasnik RS”, br.61-2018.
Global HIV & AIDS statistics – 2024 factsheet. UNAIDS, 2024. Dostupno na: https://www.unaids.org/en/ resources/fact-sheet
Instiut za javno zdravlje Srbije „dr Milan Jovanović Batut“. Svetski AIDS dan 1.decembar. Beograd 2024. Dostupno na: https://batut.org.rs/index.php?content=2917
Anđelković V. i sar. Stručno uputstvo za dobrovoljno poverljivo savetovanje i testiranje na HIV infekciju, virusne hepatitis B I C i druge polno prenosive infekcije [urednik Verica Jovanović]. Beograd: Institut za javno zdravlje Srbije „Dr Milan Jovanović Batut“, 2024 (Beograd: Pressia).
World Health Organization. Consolidated guidelines on HIV testing services. Geneva: World Health organization; 2015. Dostupno na: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241508926
Pravilnik o prijavljivanju zaraznih bolesti i posebnih zdravstvenih pitanja. “Sl. glasnik RS”. br.44/2017 i 58/2018
Paunić MD. Uticaj dobrovoljnog poverljivog savetovanja i testiranja na HIV na promene u znanju, stavovima i ponašanju ispitanika. Doktorska disertacija, Medicinski fakultet Univerzitet u Beogradu, 2014.
Institut za javno zdravlje Niš. Statistički godišnjaci 2004-2017. Dostupno na: stari.izjz-nis.org.rs/publikacije
Analiza zdravstvenog stanja stanovništva Nišavskog i Topličkog Okruga 2006-2023. Dostupno na: stari.izjz-nis.org.rs/publikacije
Turan JM, Bukusi EA, Onono M, Holzemer WL, Miller S, Cohen CR. HIV/AIDS stigma and refusal of HIV testing among pregnant women in rural Kenya: results from the MAMAS Study. AIDS Behav. 2011;15(6):1111-1120. doi: 10.1007/s10461-010-9798-5. PMID: 20827573.
Razzaq A, Raynes-Greenow C, Alam A. Barriers to uptaking HIV testing among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review of qualitative findings. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2021;61(6):817-829. doi: 10.1111/ajo.13430. PMID: 34611883.
