Mother to child HIV transmission and its predictors among HIV-exposed infants: a retrospective follow-up study in Southwest Ethiopia

Despite the marked progress in coverage of prevention of mother to child HIV transmission (PMTCT) programs, mother to child HIV transmission (MTCT) rate is not well documented in Southwest Ethiopia. A retrospective follow up study was carried at Jimma University Specialized Hospital PMTCT clinic to quantify MTCT rate and its predictors among HIV-exposed infants. Data were extracted from medical records of HIV-infected women and exposed infants between September 2010 and December 2012. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify potential factors predicting MTCT. A total of 146 infants born to HIV-infected mothers were included in the analysis. Out of 146 infants, 25 (17%, 95% CI: 11%-23.2%) were HIV positive. In the adjusted multivariate logistic regression analysis, mothers being on late AIDS stage (AOR= 5.8; 95% CI: 1.6-16.5), absence of maternal PMTCT interventions (AOR= 4.9; 95% CI: 1.4-16.5), home delivery (AOR= 8.1; 95% CI: 2.1-31.9) and mixed infant feeding (AOR= 5.6; 95% CI: 1.4-41.2) were independently associated with MTCT. We documented a high rate of MTCT among exposed infants in Southwest Ethiopia. All pregnant HIV positive mothers should be enrolled in PMTCT programs at earlier stage and exclusive breast feeding should be encouraged so as to decrease MTCT.