Survival pattern among infants born to human immunodeficiency virus type-1 infected mothers and uninfected mothers in Harare, Zimbabwe

• Published in: Central African journal of medicine Vol. 50; no. 1-2; p. 1
• Main Authors: Nathoo, Kj, Rusakaniko, S, Zijenah, L S, Kasule, J, Mahomed, K, Mashu, A, Choto, Rg, Mbizvo, Mt
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Zimbabwe 01-01-2004
• Subjects: Adult; Female; HIV Infections - epidemiology; HIV Infections - mortality; HIV-1; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical - statistics & numerical data; Interviews as Topic; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - epidemiology; Prospective Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Survival Analysis; Zimbabwe - epidemiology; Zimbabwe
• ISSN: 0008-9176

To determine the mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) rate of HIV-1 and to compare the survival patterns among infants born to HIV-1 infected and seronegative mothers.
A two year prospective study from 1991 to 1995.
345 HIV-1 infected mothers and 351 seronegative mothers and their infants were examined at regular intervals up to 24 months of age.
The intermediate estimate of MTCT rate of HIV-1 was found to be 31.9%; (95% confidence interval (CI) 26.9 to 37.1). Of infants born to HIV-1 infected mothers 17% died compared with 2% of infants born to seronegative mothers. Forty six (43%) of the 107 HIV-1 infected infants died compared with 16 (219%) of the 559 uninfected infants. In a multivariate analysis, risk factors independently associated with infant mortality were low birth weight (hazard ratio (HR) 2.80; CI 1.52 to 5.13), HIV infected infant (HR 10.50; CI 5.48 to 20.15), HIV infected mother (HR 3.23; CI 3.17 to 15.85) and maternal death (HR 2.77; CI (1.09 to 7.06).
The estimated MTCT rate of HIV-1 is comparable with rates of 25% to 45% reported from the African region. The poor survival of HIV-1 infected infants indicates the necessity for effective and comprehensive HIV/AIDS control strategies in Zimbabwe.