SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a pilot prevention of mother-to-child transmission post-natal programme in Lilongwe, Malawi, through observed retention and infant diarrhoeal rates. METHODS: Free fortified porridge and water hygiene packages were offered to mothers to encourage frequent post-natal visits and to reduce diarrhoeal rates in infants on replacement feeding. Participant retention and infant health outcome were assessed. RESULTS: Of 474 patients enrolled, 357 (75.3%) completed 3-month follow-up visits. Ninety-nine percent of women reported hygiene package use, and only 17.7% (95% CI 13.8-22.0%) of the infants had diarrhoea at least once over the 3-month period. Being 12 months or younger, confirmed HIV positive, access to tap water, and having a mother with diarrhoea were all associated with increased risk of infant diarrhoea. CONCLUSION: The majority of participants adhered to their scheduled visits and retention was favourable, possibly because of the introduction of hygiene and nutrition incentives. The infant diarrhoeal rate was low, suggesting benefits of regular medical care with hygiene package usage and reliable replacement feeding options. Continuation and expansion of the programme would allow further studies and improve the post-natal care of HIV-exposed infants in Malawi and in other resource-constrained countries.
SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a pilot prevention of mother-to-child transmission post-natal programme in Lilongwe, Malawi, through observed retention and infant diarrhoeal rates. METHODS: Free fortified porridge and water hygiene packages were offered to mothers to encourage frequent post-natal visits and to reduce diarrhoeal rates in infants on replacement feeding. Participant retention and infant health outcome were assessed. RESULTS: Of 474 patients enrolled, 357 (75.3%) completed 3-month follow-up visits. Ninety-nine percent of women reported hygiene package use, and only 17.7% (95% CI 13.8-22.0%) of the infants had diarrhoea at least once over the 3-month period. Being 12 months or younger, confirmed HIV positive, access to tapwater, and having a mother with diarrhoea were all associated with increased risk of infantdiarrhoea. CONCLUSION: The majority of participants adhered to their scheduled visits and retention was favourable, possibly because of the introduction of hygiene and nutrition incentives. The infant diarrhoeal rate was low, suggesting benefits of regular medical care with hygiene package usage and reliable replacement feeding options. Continuation and expansion of the programme would allow further studies and improve the post-natal care of HIV-exposed infants in Malawi and in other resource-constrained countries.
Authors: Rachel Peletz; Michelo Simuyandi; Martin Simunyama; Kelvin Sarenje; Paul Kelly; Thomas Clasen Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2013-10-07 Impact factor: 2.345
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Authors: Emily B Wroe; Elizabeth L Dunbar; Noel Kalanga; Luckson Dullie; Chiyembekezo Kachimanga; Andrew Mganga; Michael Herce; Jason Beste; Jonas Rigodon; Lawrence Nazimera; Ryan K McBain Journal: BMJ Glob Health Date: 2018-01-12
Authors: Emily L Deichsel; Patricia B Pavlinac; Dorothy Mbori-Ngacha; Judd L Walson; Elizabeth Maleche-Obimbo; Carey Farquhar; Rose Bosire; Grace C John-Stewart Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2020-05 Impact factor: 2.345
Authors: Michael E Herce; Tiwonge Mtande; Frank Chimbwandira; Innocent Mofolo; Christine K Chingondole; Nora E Rosenberg; Kathy E Lancaster; Esmie Kamanga; Jacqueline Chinkonde; Wiza Kumwenda; Gerald Tegha; Mina C Hosseinipour; Irving F Hoffman; Francis E Martinson; Eva Stein; Charles M van der Horst Journal: BMC Infect Dis Date: 2015-08-12 Impact factor: 3.090