Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV: management of parturients in the labor ward at Libreville teaching hospital

Abstract

Objective: To assess the practice of PMTCT in the largest maternity hospital in Libreville.
 Patients and methods: We carried out a prospective observational study, conducted from June 30, 2017 to January 30, 2018, on known or unknown HIV-positive parturients received at the CHUL maternity hospital for childbirth.
 Results: The HIV prevalence during the study was 2.3%. Catch-up screening in the labor room revealed 5.2% of HIV-positive parturients. The mean age was 29.6 ± 5.9 years with extremes of 16 and 43 years. Unemployed parturients living in cohabitation were in the majority, representing respectively 50.5% and 53.5% of the total workforce. HIV-1 was the only serotype recorded during 
these 7 months. Obstetric measurements were observed and performed. Screening of newborns at 1 month was negative, and 2 of 91 newborns tested positive at 06 months. The management of the women consisted of the administration of triple therapy in the vast majority of cases. It was not systematically given to life in our structures. This was the most frequent obstacle to the care of 
parturients.
Conclusion: The methods of taking care of parturients in the labor room are known and respected. Their referral to follow-up services is not systematic, which limits their lifelong care.