Retention of HIV-exposed infants in care and its influencing factors in Mbeya and Songwe regions: a retrospective study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: The retention of HIV-exposed infants in care programs is critical for preventing mother-to-child transmission and ensuring timely diagnosis and early initiation of treatment among the HIV exposed infants. Objectives: This retrospective study examines the retention of HIV-exposed infants and asses the influencing factors in the Mbeya and Songwe regions of Tanzania. Methodology: The retrospective study involved data extracted from the study database and Mothers locator’s forms collected from mothers enrolled in the LIFE study from 2019 to 2022 in 14 health facilities in Mbeya and Songwe regions. Key variables included maternal HIV status, maternal HIV disclosure status, maternal age, maternal education, maternal timing of HIV diagnosis, distance to healthcare facilities and socio-economic factors. Results: The study results show 85% of the infants were retained in PMTCT care at 18 months follow up. The odds of being retained in PMTCT were higher in older compared to younger mothers. Also, odds of retention of HIV exposed infants were high in mothers with secondary education or higher compared to the mothers with primary education. Conclusions: Findings from this study show that a large proportion of HIV exposed infants were retained in PMTCT care at month 18 follow up in Mbeya and Songwe regions. The retention of HIV exposed infants is influenced by multidimensional factors such as maternal sociodemographic factors and health facilities accessibility factors. Efforts should focus on strengthening health services based on maternal needs and follow-up mechanisms at the health facility level to ensure timely diagnosis of HIV and enhance the engagement of HIV-exposed infants in care throughout the PMTCT continuum.