AEGiS-14IAC: Acceptance of and adherence to zidovudine and infant formula for preventing mother-child HIV transmission, Bangkok, Thailand.

14th International AIDS Conference


Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

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Acceptance of and adherence to zidovudine and infant formula for preventing mother-child HIV transmission, Bangkok, Thailand.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. ThOrD1430)

Chaovarindr U, Chalermchokcharoenkit A, Asavapiriyanont S, Sirimai K, Culnane M, Teeraratkul A, Simonds RJ, Tappero JW
Rajavithi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand

INTRODUCTION: At Rajavithi and Siriraj Hospitals in Bangkok, standard practice for preventing mother-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) includes voluntary counseling and HIV testing for all pregnant women, and short-course zidovudine (ZDV) twice daily from 34-36 weeks' gestation, 4 weeks of infant ZDV, and infant formula. We sought to understand women's acceptance, adherence, and concerns about this program.

METHODS: Consenting HIV+ mothers who delivered between 11/99-10/01 were interviewed at 1-3 days and 1 month postpartum.

RESULTS: Of 690 HIV+ women giving birth during this period, 494 (72%) agreed to participate. Of participants, 448 (91%) had antenatal care and 350 (71%) took ZDV. Of those taking ZDV, 31% reported that ZDV reminded them of their HIV+ status; 26% feared that relatives or friends might see them taking ZDV; 23% feared that ZDV might harm themselves or their babies; and 15% reported missing any ZDV doses. Common reasons for missing doses were forgetting (33%), travel or hospitalization (17%) and running out of pills (12%). Intrapartum oral ZDV was received by 341 (69%). All 501 infants born to the 494 women took ZDV. Of the 460 infants followed at 1 month, 31% were reported to have missed a dose. The most common reasons were mother forgetting (59%), and infant sleeping (30%). 22 (2%) infants were breastfed; 12 by their mothers, and 10 by others. The most common reason for breast feeding was urging by relatives or friends.

CONCLUSIONS: PMTCT interventions can be routinely implemented in busy urban hospitals with good adherence. Programs may be improved by addressing the women's concerns and helping improve strategies for adherence through counseling.

Keywords: AEGIS, Zidovudine, HIV Infections, Infant Food, HIV Seropositivity, Mothers, Prenatal Care, Breast Feeding, Counseling, Diet, Puerperium, Thailand, Child, Infant, Human, Female, Pregnancy, transmissionKWDaegis,zidovudine,hivinfections,infantfood,hivseropositivity,mothers,prenatalcare,breastfeeding,counseling,diet,puerperium,thailand,child,infant,human,female,pregnancy,transmission

020707
ThOrD1430

Copyright © 2002 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.