Examining the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Ghana

Abstract

This paper discusses the current state of HIV/AIDS in Ghana, focusing on mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). From to the data presented, Ghana had approximately 350,000 adults and children living with HIV in 2021. Women and young girls are disproportionately affected, with over twice as many women as men living with HIV in Ghana. The prevalence rates for men and women aged 15 to 49 are 1.0% and 2.4%, respectively.
Despite HIV treatment interventions, mother-to-child transmission remains a significant mode of HIV transmission in children under 15 years old. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 90% of HIV infections in children under 15 globally result from mother-to-child transmission. In sub-Saharan Africa, 90% of babies with HIV acquire it from infected mothers.
This article emphasizes the challenges in preventing MTCT, including limited access to antenatal care, late initiation of HIV testing and treatment, inadequate adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), and suboptimal infant feeding practices. The study calls for a detailed examination of the risk of MTCT in Ghana to guide evidence-based interventions, policies, and programs.
The methodology involves analyzing the National AIDS/STI Control Programme dataset from 2015 to 2019. The findings indicate a decline in the MTCT rate over the years, but there is a focus on the need for continued efforts, especially within the first six weeks of life. The conclusion highlights regional disparities and challenges, emphasizing the urgency of addressing MTCT in Ghana.