Incidence of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV and Associated Factors in Postpartum Women in Cameroon
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25259/IJMA_23_2025Keywords:
- Associated Factors,
- Cameroon,
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus,
- Incidence,
- Mother-to-Child Transmission,
- Viral Load
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection attacks and gradually weakens the immune system by destroying CD4 cells, with the most advanced stage of the infection known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV remains the primary method of infection among children. Understanding the factors contributing to MTCT and current transmission rates is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. This study aims to determine MTCT of HIV, assess maternal viral load, and identify transmission-associated factors in the Adamawa Region of Cameroon.
Methods:Blood samples were collected from 119 mothers living with HIV and their children (mother-infant pair) in 15 different HIV/AIDS treatment units/facilities across the Adamawa Region and analyzed at the Ngaoundere Regional Hospital. Early infant diagnosis was performed using the GenXpert system, and viral load quantification was performed using the Cobas 5800 system.
Results:The findings showed that the MTCT rate of HIV was 1.7% (2/119), with an incidence rate of 33.6 cases/1000 person-years. Maternal viral load suppression rate was 96.6% (115/119). Among the participants, 47.1% (56/119) had undetectable viral loads (<20 copies/mL) and 49.6% (59/119) had suppressed viral loads of 20–<1000 copies/mL. Only 3.4% (4/119) had unsuppressed viral loads ≥1000 copies/mL. There was no statistically significant association between maternal age, duration of antiretroviral therapy (ART), type of ART, and number of antenatal visits. Significant associations were observed between MTCT and place of birth (p = 0.001) and maternal viral load (p < 0.001).
Conclusions and Global Health Implications:The transmission rate of HIV infection in infants born to HIV-positive mothers was below the national target of 2%. There was high viral suppression in lactating mothers, which was associated with a high adherence rate to ART. Maternal viral load and delivery location were significant risk factors for transmission.
Downloads
Similar Articles
- Agnes Langat, Tegan L. Callahan, Isabella Yonga, Boniface Ochanda, Anthony Waruru, Lucy W. Ng’anga, Abraham Katana, Brian Onyango, Benson Singa, Stephen Oyule, George Githuka, Lennah Omoto, Jane Muli, Thorkild Tylleskar, Surbhi Modi, Associations of Sociodemographic and Clinical Factors with Late Presentation for Early Infant HIV Diagnosis (EID) Services in Kenya , Vol. 10 No. 2 (2021): International Journal of Maternal and Child Health and AIDS
- Karen M. Hampanda, Lisa L. Abuogi, Yusuf Ahmed, HIV-Positive Women Taking Lifelong Antiretroviral Therapy Report Better Adherence Than Women Taking Short-Course Prophylaxis During and After Pregnancy Under PMTCT Program Option A in Lusaka, Zambia , Vol. 6 No. 1 (2017): International Journal of Maternal and Child Health and AIDS
- Deepa Dongarwar, Toi B. Harris, Hamisu M. Salihu, Fourth Annual Summer Research Summit on Health Equity Organized by the Center of Excellence in Health Equity, Training and Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA on May 20, 2021 , Vol. 10 No. S3 (2021): International Journal of Maternal and Child Health and AIDS
- Elizabeth Armstrong-Mensah, Krystal Ruiz, Aminata Fofana, Victoria Hawley, Perinatal HIV Transmission Prevention: Challenges among Women Living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa , Vol. 9 No. 3 (2020): International Journal of Maternal and Child Health and AIDS
- Margaret Omowaleola Akinwaare, Funmilayo A. Okanlawon, Monisola A. Popoola, Omotayo O. Adetunji, Birth Preparedness Plans and Status Disclosure Among Pregnant Women Living with HIV Who are Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in Ibadan, Southwest, Nigeria , Vol. 12 No. 1 (2023): International Journal of Maternal and Child Health and AIDS
- Md Nazrul Islam Mondai, Md Monzur Morshad Nasir Ullah, Md Rafiqul Islam, Md Shafiur Rahman, Md Nuruzzaman Khan, Kazi Mohiuddin Ahmed, Mohammad Shariful Islam, Sociodemographic and Health Determinants of Inequalities in Life Expectancy in Least Developed Countries , Vol. 4 No. 1 (2015): International Journal of Maternal and Child Health and AIDS
- Ashish Kumar Gupta, Kakoli Borkotoky, Amit Kumar, Household Headship and Infant Mortality in India: Evaluating the Determinants and Differentials , Vol. 3 No. 1 (2015): International Journal of Maternal and Child Health and AIDS
- Amina Abdullahi, Hassan Adam Murtala, Aisha Adam Abdullahi, Amina Aminu, Muktar H. Aliyu, Sani H. Aliyu, Ololade D. Adeyemi, Deepa Dongarwar, Jordi B. Torrelles, Gambo Aliyu, Hamisu M. Salihu, Drivers of Human Immunodeficiency Virus among Pregnant Women in Conflict and Non-conflict Zones of Nigeria , Vol. 14 No. Continuous (2025): International Journal of Maternal and Child Health and AIDS
- Barbara Burmen, Gregory Kurtzman, Anthony A Olashore, Leyla Baghirova Busang, Ohemaa Poku, Phenyo Morakanyane, Ontibile Tshume, Onkemetse Phoi, Mogomotsi Matshaba, Elizabeth D Lowenthal, Knashawn H Morales, Merrian J Brooks, HIV Virologic Suppression and Mental Well-being in Adolescents and Young Adults Living with HIV , Vol. 14 No. Continuous (2025): International Journal of Maternal and Child Health and AIDS
- Eshetu Bekele Worku, Selamawit Alemu Woldesenbet, Factors that Influence Teenage Antenatal Care Utilization in John Taolo Gaetsewe (JTG) District of Northern Cape Province, South Africa: Underscoring the Need for Tackling Social Determinants of Health , Vol. 5 No. 2 (2016): International Journal of Maternal and Child Health and AIDS
<< < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >>
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright © 2025 Presley Chick Tayong, Herbert Afegenwi Mbunkah, Raphael Awah Abong, Sumelong Sharon Dione Akomoneh, Raoul Tuekam Kayo, Elvis Achondou Akomoneh. Published by Global Health and Education Projects, Inc., USA.
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , which permits others to remix, transform, and build upon the work non-commercially, provided the original author is credited and the new creations are licensed under the same terms.