Elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in oman: A success story from the middle east

Ali Elgalib*, Fatma Al-Hinai, Jamila Al-Abri, Samir Shah, Zeyana Al-Habsi, Maha Al-Fouri, Richard Lau, Hanan Al-Kindi, Adil Al-Wahaibi, Amal Al-Maani, Bader Al-Rawahi, Said Al-Lamki, Seif Al-Abri

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: In January 2016, the National AIDS Programme (NAP) in Oman introduced a package of interventions, including capacity building for service providers, to improve the quality of HIV services. Aims: To report the impact of these interventions on the rate of vertical HIV transmission in the period from January 2016 to December 2019. We also describe the virological and obstetric outcomes for HIV-infected pregnant women. Methods: This was a medical record review of 94 HIV-positive pregnant women (median age 32 years; interquartile range 25-34 years) reported to NAP in 2016–2019. Results: There were 110 pregnancies in 94 women. The majority (75.3%, 61/81) of women were diagnosed with HIV infection from routine antenatal screening, with 60% (66/110) of pregnancies occurring in women who knew their HIV status at conception. Caesarean section was the most common (50%) mode of delivery. The preterm labour and low birth weight rates were 21.2% and 15.9%, respectively. The antiretroviral coverage during pregnancy was 95.5%, with most (87.8%) women reporting excellent or good adherence. The majority (81.6%) of women achieved HIV viral load of < 400 copies/ml at or near delivery. Almost all infants (99%) were given prophylactic antiretrovirals. The rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV was 1%. Conclusion: The obstetric and virological outcomes for HIV-infected pregnant women delivered in 2016–2019 were fa-vourable, with a low rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Oman is now in the process of finalizing application of World Health Organization validation of elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)381-389
Number of pages9
JournalEastern Mediterranean Health Journal
Volume27
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Keywords

  • Elimination
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Middle East
  • Mother-to-child transmission
  • Oman

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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