title: Using a campaign approach among health workers to increase access to antiretroviral therapy for pregnant HIV-infected women in South Africa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In 2010, WHO guidelines modified eligibility criteria for persons living with HIV to start on lifelong antiretroviral therapy. Pregnant HIV-infected women were identified as a priority group. Yet, despite the availability of key resources and medications, antiretroviral treatment rates for pregnant women in South Africa remained low.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, nonrandomized, controlled study to evaluate the impact of a campaign approach among health workers to improve referral and initiation rates of antiretroviral therapy for eligible pregnant HIV-infected women in 2 matched districts in KwaZulu-Natal Province.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average number of referrals of pregnant women for antiretroviral therapy increased from 79 per month (95% confidence interval [CI]: 69 to 89) at baseline to 188 per month (95% CI: 167 to 209) 6 months after the intervention (P < 0.001). Similarly, the number of pregnant women initiated on antiretroviral therapy increased from 21 per month (95% CI: 2 to 40) at baseline to 124 per month (95% CI: 108 to 140) after the intervention (P < 0.001). Unlike in the control district, where no improvements were seen, the intervention district showed a greater than 4-fold increase in women initiated on antiretroviral therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A targeted campaign among health workers can accelerate access to antiretroviral therapy for pregnant HIV-infected women.
authors.affiliation: 20,000+ Partnership, Department of Pediatrics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: Wilbroda
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ngidi
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: Zama
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Luvuno
authors.forename: Nigel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rollins
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: Kedar S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Mate
mesh_terms: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D011295:Prenatal Care; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013019:South Africa
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents