Maternal risk factors for HIV infection in infants in northeastern Brazil

SummaryIntroductionWhile the rate of vertically transmitted HIV infection has fallen in most regions of Brazil, there have been no similar decreases in northern and northeastern Brazil.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the risk factors associated with vertical transmission in the state of Sergipe in northeastern Brazil.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study. We recorded clinic and registry data for all HIV-infected pregnant women and exposed children diagnosed in Sergipe from 1990 to 2011.ResultsWe identified 538 deliveries and 561 HIV-exposed infants (23 sets of twins). One hundred one (18.9%) infants were HIV-infected. In the multivariate analysis, infant antiretroviral prophylaxis was a significant protective factor (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.01–0.41, p=0.003). Breastfeeding was marginally associated with an increased odds of perinatal transmission (aOR 4.52, 95% CI 0.78–26.17, p = 0.092). The attributable risk percentage for breastfeeding over the study period was 91.0%. Transmission decreased from 91 per 100 live births before 1997 to 2 per 100 in 2011 following the adoption of the prevention protocol.ConclusionTransmission declined over the study period. The screening of pregnant women and timely initiation of prophylaxis and therapy are issues that require further attention