ArticleSouthern African journal of HIV medicine2019
HIV testing at birth: Are we getting it right?
Article in Southern African journal of HIV medicine, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Point-of-care tests detecting HIV nucleic acids for diagnosis of HIV-1 or HIV-2 infection in infants and children aged 18 months or less.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2021Pooled it
- Barriers to Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Among Children in Ekurhuleni, South Africa: A Descriptive Study.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2026Article
- 'The baby will have the right beginning': a qualitative study on mother and health worker views on point-of-care HIV birth testing across 10 sites in Zimbabwe.BMC pediatrics · 2022Article
- "The right time is just after birth": acceptability of point-of-care birth testing in Eswatini: qualitative results from infant caregivers, health care workers, and policymakers.BMC pediatrics · 2020Article
- The Cascade of Care From Routine Point-of-Care HIV Testing at Birth: Results From an 18-Months Pilot Program in Eswatini.Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (1999) · 2020Article
- Post-training and mentorship experiences of KidzAlive-trained healthcare workers at primary healthcare facilities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.African journal of primary health care & family medicine · 2020Article
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundBirth polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing improves early detection of HIV and allows for early treatment initiation. National guidelines exist, but it is unknown whether these are being implemented correctly.
objectivesTo determine whether HIV-exposed infants at the Mangaung University Community Partnership Programme Community Health Centre (MUCPP CHC) received PCR tests at birth, if HIV-positive infants were initiated on treatment, if follow-up dates were scheduled and the percentage of mothers or caregivers who returned to collect the results.
methodsThe study was a retrospective descriptive file audit (1304 files) of births from 01 January to 31 December 2016 at MUCPP CHC. The study sample was 428 infants born to HIV-positive mothers. The birth register was used to collect the infants' HIV PCR test barcodes. The birth and 10-week PCR results were retrieved from an electronic database at the Virology Department, University of the Free State.
resultsIn total, 375 infants received a birth PCR test (87.6%) of which 4 (1.1%) tested HIV positive and 327 (87.2%) negative. Follow-up tests were not scheduled. However, 145 (44.3%) HIV-negative infants returned for a 10-week test. Irrespective of the PCR birth result, 157 (36.7%) infants were brought for a 10-week follow-up test at which time 3 (1.9%) tested positive and 151 (96.2%) negative.
conclusionThe majority of HIV-exposed infants received a PCR test at birth; however, the clinic is below the national target (90%) for HIV testing. A record-keeping system of infants' visits does not exist at MUCPP CHC, making it impossible to determine whether HIV-positive infants were started on antiretroviral treatment.
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