Trends in HIV Prevalence Among Pregnant Women and Children Under 18 Months of Age from 2019 to 2022 at Hospital Saint Camille in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Abstract

Vertical transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a major concern in sub-Saharan African countries such as Burkina Faso, despite the implementation of various prevention and elimination programs. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HIV infection in pregnant women and children under 18 months of age in the context of the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Burkina Faso. Methods: This was a retrospective study with a collection period from 2019 to 2022. Data were collected at Hôpital Saint Camille de Ouagadougou and the study population was pregnant women received at antenatal consultations (ANC) and children 18 months of age borned to HIV-positive mothers. The most represented age group was over 25. The overall prevalence of HIV among all pregnant women seen at antenatal clinics who tested positive fell from 3.0 % in 2019 to 1.50% in 2022. HIV prevalence among those seen at antenatal clinics who did not know their HIV status beforehand also fell, from 1.22% in 2019 to 0.42% in 2022, a reduction of 2.90%. HIV prevalence in children under 18 months of age by PCR changed from 5.56% (06/108) in 2017 to 0.0% (0/57) in 2022. The number of partners of pregnant women who received an HIV test fell from 51 partners in 2019 to 16 partners in 2022. Conclusion: This study shows a significant reduction in the prevalence of HIV infection among pregnant women and children. Elimination programs must reinforce efforts for a considerable reduction in MTCT/HIV.