Eliminating Pediatric HIV Infection: Retention in PMTCT
Eliminating Pediatric HIV Infection: Retention in PMTCT
Although commitment and funding from the global community have significantly increased ART access and PMTCT services, such issues as underenrollment and LTFU continue to undermine global efforts. To overcome this challenge, strategies to improve retention at each stage of the care cascade must be addressed.
Ultimately, a multifaceted approach aimed at addressing multiple barriers to follow-up across the PMTCT care cascade, with a particular focus on the transition to infant care, will be required. The challenge will be to determine which combination of strategies achieves the best outcomes while reaching the most women in a cost-effective manner. Although it is a challenging prospect, we have the tools to end transmission of HIV from mothers to babies; now is the time for international communities to redouble efforts to more effectively implement these tools to achieve this critical goal.
Summary
Although commitment and funding from the global community have significantly increased ART access and PMTCT services, such issues as underenrollment and LTFU continue to undermine global efforts. To overcome this challenge, strategies to improve retention at each stage of the care cascade must be addressed.
Ultimately, a multifaceted approach aimed at addressing multiple barriers to follow-up across the PMTCT care cascade, with a particular focus on the transition to infant care, will be required. The challenge will be to determine which combination of strategies achieves the best outcomes while reaching the most women in a cost-effective manner. Although it is a challenging prospect, we have the tools to end transmission of HIV from mothers to babies; now is the time for international communities to redouble efforts to more effectively implement these tools to achieve this critical goal.