Indispensability of FP and Primary Prevention to MTCT
OK, I can see that preventing unintended pregnancy in HIV+ women and preventing HIV infection among women are important to prevent mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). But how important are they?
Quite important in order to reach the UNGASS (United Nations General Assembly Special Session) goals to reduce the proportion of infants infected with HIV by 20% by 2005 and 50% by 2020. In fact, it is fair to say the UNGASS goals cannot be met without these two other elements.
For example, in a recent analysis of eight key African countries, experts from Johns Hopkins University and WHO conclude that short course ARV prophylaxis for HIV-infected pregnant women (and their infants) by itself would likely reduce MTCT an average of 4%. On the other hand, a
comprehensive strategy that adds 1) a reduction in primary HIV infection by 5% and 2) a reduction in pregnancies among HIV-infected women by 10% comes fairly close to the 2005 UNGASS goal in all eight countries.
References:
1. Sweat M et al. Linkages between family planning and HIV PMTCT programs: Opportunities and challenges. Presentation at Montreux, Switzerland. May 2004.
2. Sweat M et al. Cost-effectiveness of nevirapine to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission in eight African countries. AIDS 2004 (In Press).
The "Pearls" offer answers to commonly asked questions about family planning. These "Pearls" are prepared by Dr. James D. Shelton, Senior Medical Scientist, Office of Population, United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
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