HIV-1/AIDS and maternal and child health in Africa.
Every day, 1900 children acquire HIV-1 infection from their mother in Africa. The 25-45% risk of mother-to-child transmission can be reduced in several ways: prevention of sexual transmission for women of child-bearing age, access to HIV-1 testing, reduction of unwanted pregnancies by education of HIV-1-infected women, and antiretroviral-based prevention. All antiretroviral regimens of proven efficacy can be used in a minimum package of care for HIV-1-infected pregnant women. At present, programmes in 13 countries reach less than 3% of HIV-1-infected African women. 35-59% of African children infected with HIV-1 die by their second birthday. Infectious complications are preventable by primary prophylaxis with co-trimoxazole. A rapid scaling-up and comprehensive continuum of care is needed for all members of affected families, including access to antiretroviral treatment and community-based responses to the increasing number of orphans. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission should become a universal standard of care in Africa, and research should continue to reduce the transmission risk to well below 5%.
Dabis
François
F
INSERM U.330, ISPED, Université Victor Segalen, Bordeaux, France. francois.dabis@isped.u-bordeaux.fr
Ekpini
Ehounou René
ER
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents