Objective: To explore the change trend of mother-to-child-transmission (MTCT) of HIV-1 in some areas in China.
Methods: The investigation was conducted in 15 counties or districts of 4 provinces in China with relatively high HIV prevalence from January 2005 to June 2009. The data on the death and HIV-status of the babies born to HIV-positive mothers from January 2005-December 2007 in research sites were collected through 18-month following up after they were born.
Results: During the time that the research was conducted, there were 644 babies born to HIV-positive mothers who were followed up for 18 months. At the end of 18 months, full data were collected from 550 babies, 44 babies were lost to follow-up and 50 babies died. Among 550 babies who were followed up for 18 months, 53 babies were confirmed as HIV positive. The rate of MTCT of HIV-1 was 13.19% (24/182), 8.90% (17/191) and 6.78% (12/177) in 2005, 2006, 2007 respectively, which showed a descending trend yearly (chi(2) = 4.23, P < 0.05). Adjusted by the death data of the HIV-exposed children, it was found that during 2005-2007 the rate of MTCT of HIV-1 was 16.74%, 12.98%, 9.52% respectively, which was also descending year by year (chi(2) = 4.69, P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Long-term, effective prevention of mother-to-child-transmission of HIV (PMTCT) could reduce the level of MTCT of HIV-1 year-by-year. In addition, using death data of HIV-exposed children to adjust the level of MTCT of HIV-1 is valuable to grade the effect of PMTCT.