Using Data to Help Mothers and Infants with HIV in South Africa
Author Information
Author(s): Phillips Tamsin K., Gomba Yolanda, Mogoba Pheposadi, Phelanyane Florence, Anderson Kim, Chi Benjamin H., Clouse Kate, Davies Mary-Ann, Euvrard Jonathan, Knight Lucia, Myer Landon, Abrams Elaine J.
Primary Institution: University of Cape Town
Hypothesis
Can routine electronic medical records improve retention in maternal HIV treatment and infant HIV testing?
Conclusion
The study found that while many mothers and infants were successfully linked to care, significant gaps in HIV treatment and testing still exist.
Supporting Evidence
- 54 mothers (16%) did not link to HIV care within 12 weeks of delivery.
- 43 mothers (13%) linked to care but had a gap in ART dispensing by nine months postpartum.
- 25 infants (10%) did not have an HIV test around 10 weeks.
- 57 infants (17%) had no HIV test around 6 months of age.
Takeaway
This study looked at how using health data can help mothers and their babies get the HIV care they need, but many still faced challenges.
Methodology
The study monitored electronic medical records to identify gaps in care and attempted to confirm these gaps through telephonic tracing.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on self-reported data and challenges in tracing participants.
Limitations
The study was limited to a single clinic and did not account for care received outside the Western Cape.
Participant Demographics
The median maternal age was 32 years, with 12% under 25 years old; 60% were enrolled during pregnancy and 40% postpartum.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 0.5–3.5
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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