title: Global progress in PMTCT and paediatric HIV care and treatment in low- and middle-income countries in 2004-2005.
abstract: A growing number of countries are moving to scale up interventions for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV in maternal and child health services. Similarly, many are working to improve access to paediatric HIV treatment. This paper reviews national programme data for 2004-2005 from low- and middle-income countries to track progress in these programmes. The attainment of the UNGASS target of reducing HIV infections by 50% by 2010 necessitates that 80% of all pregnant women accessing antenatal care receive PMTCT services. In 2005, only seven of the 71 countries were on track to meet this target. However PMTCT coverage increased from 7% in 2004 (58 countries) to 11% in 2005 (71 countries). In 2005, 8% of all infants born to HIV positive mothers received antiretroviral prophylaxis for PMTCT, up from 5% in 2004, though only 4% received cotrimoxazole. 11% of HIV positive children in need received antiretroviral treatment in 2005. In 31 countries that had data, 28% of women who received an antiretroviral for PMTCT also reported receiving antiretroviral treatment for their own health. Achieving the UNGASS target is possible but will require substantial investments and commitment to strengthen maternal and child health services, the health workforce and health systems to move from pilot projects to a decentralised, integrated approach.
authors.affiliation: HIV and Health, Health Section, Programme Division United Nations Children Fund, New York, NY, USA. cluo@unicef.org
authors.forename: Chewe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Priscilla
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Akwara
authors.forename: Ngashi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ngongo
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Doughty
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gass
authors.forename: Rene
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ekpini
authors.forename: Siobhan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Crowley
authors.forename: Chika
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hayashi
mesh_terms: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008427:Maternal Health Services; D010372:Pediatrics; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents