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13th International AIDS ConferenceDurban, South Africa - July 9-July 14, 2000 |
Int Conf AIDS 2000 Jul 9-14; 13:(abstract no. MoOrC238)
Deschamps M, Grand-Pierre R, Mellon R, Pape JW
M. Deschamps, Les Centres GHESKIO, 33, Boulevard Harry Truman, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Tel.: +509 222 2241, 509 222 0031, Fax: +509 223 90 44, E-mail: mariehd@gheskio.org
BACKGROUND: The majority of HIV infected children acquire the infection through their infected mother; as a result a large number of infected children live in countries which do not have structure to accommodate them; therefore our primary objective have been: 1) to limit the number of infected orphans through Family Planning (F.P) integration into the STD/HIV clinic. 2) to decrease number of infected children by use of antiretroviral therapy.
METHODS: HIV seroprevalence among women visiting antenatal clinics in Haiti is high (4-13%). Only 5% of individuals visiting an STD/HIV clinic in Port-au-Prince, Haiti were using F.P methods at first evaluation with an annual pregnancy rate of 11% regardless of HIV status. Therefore, Family Planning methods with counseling, particularly targeting the HIV (+) individuals, were introduced at the STD/HIV clinic on January 1996. In March 1999, oral AZT following recommended guidelines was offered to all HIV infected women who did not accept F.P methods and became pregnant.
RESULTS: From January 1996 to December 1999, 14159 individuals received information and counseling at our STD unit: 6353 became F.P users (3917 females, 2436 males), 40% were HIV infected. Condom use with or without other contraceptive methods was the most common method used. During the follow up period, 31 (0.8%) of the 3917 women became pregnant. Oral AZT was offered to all HIV infected pregnant women: 9 of the 11 infected women completed (AZT) monotherapy to prevent perinatal HIV transmission.
CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results support that efforts to prevent perinatal HIV transmission in developing world need to address both: Family Planning with counseling and provision of anti retroviral therapy. Advocacy of this intervention is a new and challenging responsibility that will prevent unwanted pregnancies and further HIV transmission.
Copyright © 2000 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.
