Temporal trend and spatial distribution of cases of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, 2007-2017: an ecological study

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the temporal trend and spatial distribution of mother-to-child HIV transmission in Santa Catarina between 2007 and 2017. METHODS: This was a mixed ecological study with data from the Notifiable Health Conditions Information System. Linear regression was performed for time series analysis and the mean rates in the period and mean annual percentage changes in the rates of HIV-infected pregnant women were calculated, children exposed to HIV during pregnancy, and seroconversion of children exposed to HIV/AIDS during pregnancy, in addition to data geoprocessing. RESULTS: There were 5,554 records of HIV-infected pregnant women, with a rate of 5.6 pregnant women per 1,000 live births. The mean seroconversion rate was 13.5/100,000 live births (95%CI 6.8;20.1) and it showed a falling trend (APC = -99.4%; 95%CI -99.9;-93.1). The seroconversion rate was more expressive in small towns. CONCLUSION: The rate of HIV-infected pregnant women was stable in the period, whereas the number of children infected with HIV through mother-to-child transmission decreased.