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Abstract
Scaling up prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS in public hospitals in Kenya. Challenges and recommendations
T. Kauki
Issues:
Magnitude of HIV infection among pregnant women in Kenya is estimated at 13%. This rate of infection coupled with high birth rates translates into 50,000 to 60,000 children under five years of age infected with HIV per annum.
90% of HIV infection in children is due to MTCT which occurs during Pregnancy (Intrapartum), Childbirth (Labour) or Breastfeeding (Postnatal).
Children face obstacles in accessing ART; hence the need to scale up PMTCT.
Description:
A careful appraisal of PMTCT programmes for Public Hospitals in Kenya indicates the challenges which impede the scale up of PMTCT at the intrapartum, childbirth and postnatal stages.
Lessons learned:
Challenges include.
Antenatal stage:
1. CD 4 counts, Haemograms and Biochemical assays are charged.
2. Shortage of Bio-chemistry machines, CD 4 counters and Haemogram machines.
3. Shortage of trained laboratory staff.
4. Shortage of zidovudine.
Intrapartum stage:
1. Shortage of zidovudine and nevirapine.
2.Traditional Birth Attendants.
3. Caesarian sections are expensive.
Postnatal stage:
Commercial infant milk:
1. Expensive.
2. Cultural beliefs and Illiteracy deters adherence.
Home modified animal Milk:
1. Usage of animal milk for other uses leads to the child being deprived.
2. Cultural beliefs and illiteracy deters adherence.
Recommendations:
Antenatal stage.
1. Scrap charges for ART and laboratory tests.
2. Increased financial commitment from the government and donor towards PMTCT.
3. Training of laboratory staff on CD 4 counts, Viral Loads, Biochemistry machines.
4. Instituting a well coordinated supply chain for zidovudine and nevirapine.
Intrapartum stage.
1. Supply chain management for zidovudine and nevirapine.
2. Health Education to women to avoid Traditional Birth Attendants.
Postnatal stage:
1. Government to eliminate taxes on commercial infant milk.
2. Donors and NGO’s to lobby for the elimination of taxes Commercial Infant milk.
3. Intensifying counseling addressing stigma and cultural issues of not
breastfeeding.
4. Donor to fund procurement of Commercial Infant milk.
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
CDC0576
Suggested Citation
" T. Kauki
Scaling up prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS in public hospitals in Kenya. Challenges and recommendations.
:
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
CDC0576"
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