Improving Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) testing coverage and retention in Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programs through Early Infant HIV Diagnosis at birth.
1
Clinton Health Access Initiative, Abuja, Nigeria
2
National HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme - Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Abuja, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2275
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Delayed HIV diagnosis among HIV-exposed infants and loss to follow-up before the six-week Early Infant Diagnosis visit remain major barriers to timely case detection and antiretroviral treatment. HIV testing at birth has the potential to expand EID coverage, improve early case detection, and strengthen retention of PMTCT programs. A study assessed the contribution of EID testing at birth to EID coverage, early infant HIV case detection, and postnatal retention within routine PMTCT service delivery.
METHODS:
Twelve health facilities across Rivers, Ogun, Kaduna, Benue, Adamawa, and Anambra states were selected based on geographic representation and PMTCT service volume, following ethical approval from the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC/01/01/2007–22/05/2025). The study included HIV-exposed infants aged 0–3 days and their HIV-positive mothers. Between July and December 2025, healthcare workers received training on study procedures and point-of-care EID. Eligible mothers provided written informed consent before enrolment. Indicators assessed timing of EID at birth, EID testing coverage, HIV positivity, and treatment at birth and six weeks, and infant retention. Descriptive analyses assessed early trends.
RESULTS:
Among 177 deliveries and 176 live births, 100% of HIV-exposed infants received EID testing at birth, demonstrating high testing coverage and effective integration of birth testing into routine workflows. At 6-8 weeks, follow-up testing was completed for 98 of 99 eligible infants (99%), indicating improved retention of HIV-exposed infants between delivery and six-week visit. All infants tested HIV-negative at both time points. However, the study identified operational challenges related to staff workload, commodity management, and data quality across service points, highlighting key areas for improvement during scale-up
CONCLUSIONS:
EID at birth can strengthen early case detection and improve retention of HIV-exposed infants within PMTCT programs. Incorporating birth testing into the comprehensive EID strategy has the potential to reduce missed diagnoses and improve continuity of care.
Delayed HIV diagnosis among HIV-exposed infants and loss to follow-up before the six-week Early Infant Diagnosis visit remain major barriers to timely case detection and antiretroviral treatment. HIV testing at birth has the potential to expand EID coverage, improve early case detection, and strengthen retention of PMTCT programs. A study assessed the contribution of EID testing at birth to EID coverage, early infant HIV case detection, and postnatal retention within routine PMTCT service delivery.
METHODS:
Twelve health facilities across Rivers, Ogun, Kaduna, Benue, Adamawa, and Anambra states were selected based on geographic representation and PMTCT service volume, following ethical approval from the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC/01/01/2007–22/05/2025). The study included HIV-exposed infants aged 0–3 days and their HIV-positive mothers. Between July and December 2025, healthcare workers received training on study procedures and point-of-care EID. Eligible mothers provided written informed consent before enrolment. Indicators assessed timing of EID at birth, EID testing coverage, HIV positivity, and treatment at birth and six weeks, and infant retention. Descriptive analyses assessed early trends.
RESULTS:
Among 177 deliveries and 176 live births, 100% of HIV-exposed infants received EID testing at birth, demonstrating high testing coverage and effective integration of birth testing into routine workflows. At 6-8 weeks, follow-up testing was completed for 98 of 99 eligible infants (99%), indicating improved retention of HIV-exposed infants between delivery and six-week visit. All infants tested HIV-negative at both time points. However, the study identified operational challenges related to staff workload, commodity management, and data quality across service points, highlighting key areas for improvement during scale-up
CONCLUSIONS:
EID at birth can strengthen early case detection and improve retention of HIV-exposed infants within PMTCT programs. Incorporating birth testing into the comprehensive EID strategy has the potential to reduce missed diagnoses and improve continuity of care.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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