Journal of Microbiome Research and Health Applications
Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 Infection and its Associated Factors Among Exposed Infants at Shegaw Motta General Hospital, Ethiopia
Abstract
Destaw Kebede Nigusie, Fantahun Getaneh, Kirubel Endalamaw, Girma Zerefaw and Abebe Feneta Nigusie
Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a leading cause of death and a significant burden of disease. The primary route through which HIV infects children worldwide is vertical transmission. Morbidity and mortality among infants exposed to HIV remain major health issues in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of HIV-1 infection and its associated factors among exposed infants at Shegaw Motta General Hospital in Ethiopia.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on exposed newborns at Shegaw Motta General Hospital from September 1, 2022, to July 30, 2023. The study participants were selected using the sequential convenience sampling technique. Whole blood samples were collected from both the mothers and babies. Laboratory testing was carried out using standard operating procedures such as viral load, cluster of differentiation 4 counts, and early newborn diagnosis, were used to conduct laboratory testing. The data were entered EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were then performed to identify associated factors (P < 0.05).
Results: Out of 155 newborns, approximately 79 (50.9%) were females, and 87 (56.1%) lived in urban areas. The majority of babies 88 (56.8%) were born to mothers who were illiterate with maternal ages ranging from 25 to 34 years (138, or 89.0%). The overall prevalence of HIV 1 infection among exposed infants was 6 (3.87%) with at 95% CI fell between 2.9% to 8.2%. Factors associated to HIV 1 infection among exposed infants included pregnant women who did not receive antenatal care (AOR = 7.281, P = 0.001), delivered at home (AOR = 3.239, P = 0.001), did not receive antiretroviral prophylaxis (AOR = 9.213, P = 0.001), did not provide nevirapine prophylaxis to their infants (AOR = 2.560, P = 0.007), and had a high maternal viral load (AOR = 5.120, P = 0.004).
Conclusion: The risk of HIV-1 infection among exposed infants remains high (3.87%) particularly among pregnant women who did not receive antenatal care follow-up, delivered at home, had a high maternal viral load, did not receive antiretroviral prophylaxis, and did not provide nevirapine prophylaxis to their infants. To prevent HIV infection among exposed infants, health facilities should enhance Prevention of Mother–to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) services by providing maternal antiretroviral prophylaxis, promoting antenatal care services, early screening of maternal viral load, and increasing skilled delivery.