Option B+ prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS service intervention outcomes in selected health facilities, Adama town, Ethiopia 

Background: Vertical HIV transmission from mother-to-child accounts for more than 90% of pediatric HIV/AIDS infection. Virtual elimination of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV is possible by giving comprehensive prevention of HIV/AIDS mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) care. The objective of this study was to assess Option B+ (initiation of antiretroviral therapy for all pregnant mothers) PMTCT service intervention and outcomes in selected health facilities of Adama town, Ethiopia. Methods: A retrospective study was employed. A total of 248 medical records of mother–infant cohorts were included. Data wer collected from logbooks and/or records and individual medical records using a data abstraction tool. Results: Mean±SD age of mothers was 26.8±4.3 years. Half (50.8%) of the mothers were enrolled in PMTCT at 13–24 weeks of gestational age. The majority (79.6%) of mothers’ CD4 counts were ≥351/mm(3). Most of the mothers (71%) were on a tenofovir–lamivudine–evafrenz regimen. One-quarter of mothers were prescribed co-trimoxazole prophylactic therapy. Loss to follow-up from the Option B+ continuum was 10 (4.2%). Almost all (98.4%) of the infants were prescribed nevirapine prophylaxis. Nearly 90% (n=223) of the HIV-exposed infants were discharged as HIV negative. Conclusions: The Option B+ PMTCT service can minimize the chances of MTCT of HIV infection if used optimally. The magnitudes of loss to follow-up and death were lower than in comparable studies. Initiating all pregnant mothers on antiretroviral therapy irrespective of their clinical stage and CD4 count may have contributed to the optimal retention in care and near elimination of MTCT of HIV infection.