title: Low vaccine coverage among children born to HIV infected women in Niamey, Niger.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effect of mother's HIV-status on child vaccination is an important public health issue in countries with high HIV prevalence. We conducted a study in a primary healthcare center located in Niamey, the capital of Niger, which offers free of charge services to HIV positive and/or underprivileged mothers, with the aim of assessing: 1) vaccination coverage for children 0-36 months old, born to HIV-infected mothers, and 2) the impact of maternal HIV status on child vaccination.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mothers of children less than 36 months old attending the center were interviewed, to collect information on vaccines administered to their child, and family's socio-demographic characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 502 children were investigated. Children of HIV-seropositive mothers were less likely to receive follow up vaccinations for Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTP) than those of HIV-seronegative mothers, with a prevalence ratio (PR) of 2.03 (95%CI: 1.58-2.61). Children born to HIV-seropositive mothers were less likely to miss vaccination for MMR than those born to HIV negative mothers, with a RR of 0.46 (95%CI: 0.30-0.72).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vaccine coverage among children born to HIV infected mothers was rather low. It is important to favor access to vaccination programs in this population.
authors.affiliation: a University Department of Pediatrics (DPUO) ; Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital ; Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Hyppolite Kuekou
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Tchidjou
authors.affiliation: b Department of Infectious; Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases ; Istituto Superiore di Sanità ; Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Fenicia
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Vescio
authors.affiliation: c University of Dschang ; Dschang , Cameroon.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sanou Sobze
authors.affiliation: d Magama Foundation ; Niamey , Niger.
authors.forename: Animata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Souleyman
authors.affiliation: b Department of Infectious; Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases ; Istituto Superiore di Sanità ; Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stefanelli
authors.affiliation: e Department of Public Health ; University of Rome "Tor Vergata" ; Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Adalbert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mbabia
authors.affiliation: f National Coordination for Intersectoral Coordination for the Response against STI/HIV/AIDS ; Niamey , Niger.
authors.forename: Ide
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Moussa
authors.affiliation: g Italian Cooperation of Sub-Saharan Africa ; Niamey , Niger.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.affiliation: h Department of Biology ; University of Rome "Tor Vergata" ; Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Colizzi
authors.affiliation: b Department of Infectious; Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases ; Istituto Superiore di Sanità ; Rome , Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rezza
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection; D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015658:HIV Infections; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007223:Infant; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009035:Mothers; D009548:Niger; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D015721:Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis Vaccine; D022542:Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine
keywords: HIV; children; measles; niamey; niger; vaccination