J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr

BackgroundIntegrating antenatal care (ANC) and HIV care may improve uptake and retention in services along the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) cascade. The current study aimed to determine if integration of HIV services into ANC settings improves PMTCT service utilization outcomes.MethodsANC clinics in rural Kenya were randomized to integrated (6 clinics, 569 women) or non-integrated (6 clinics, 603 women) services. Intervention clinics provided all HIV services, including highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), while control clinics provided PMTCT services but referred women to HIV care clinics within the same facility. PMTCT utilization outcomes among HIV-infected women (maternal HIV care enrollment, HAART initiation, and 3-month infant HIV testing uptake) were compared using generalized estimating equations and Cox regression.ResultsHIV care enrollment was higher in intervention compared to control clinics (69% versus 36%, Odds Ratio (OR)=3.94, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.14\u201313.63). Median time to enrollment was significantly shorter among intervention arm women (0 versus 8 days, Hazard Ratio (HR)=2.20, 95% CI: 1.62\u20133.01). Eligible women in the intervention arm were more likely to initiate HAART (40% versus 17%, OR=3.22, 95% CI: 1.81\u20135.72). Infant testing was more common in the intervention arm (25% versus 18%), however not statistically different. No significant differences were detected in postnatal service uptake or maternal retention.ConclusionsService integration increased maternal HIV care enrollment and HAART uptake. However, PMTCT utilization outcomes were still suboptimal, and postnatal service utilization remained poor in both study arms. Further improvements in the PMTCT cascade will require additional research and interventions.2015K01 MH081777/MH/NIMH NIH HHS/United StatesU2G PS001913/PS/NCHHSTP CDC HHS/United States5U2GPS001913-02/PHS HHS/United StatesK01MH081777/MH/NIMH NIH HHS/United States25967269PMC4501892668