Implementing short-course zidovudine to reduce mother-infant HIV transmission in a large pilot program in Thailand

To describe a pilot mother-infant HIV prevention program started by the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand in July 1998 and to report on the first year of its implementation.

Analysis of monthly summaries of data from project logbooks, simple data forms in antenatal clinics and delivery rooms, site visits and workshops, mail survey.

All 89 public hospitals in seven north-eastern provinces of Thailand.

Childbearing women, program officials.

Counseling and HIV testing for pregnant women, short-course antenatal zidovudine for HIV-infected pregnant women, and infant formula for their children.

Proportion of women with HIV test, proportion of HIV-infected women receiving zidovudine.

Of 75,308 women who gave birth between July 1998 and June 1999, 74,511 (98.9%) had antenatal care, 51,492 (69.1%) in the same district and 23,019 (30.9%) outside the district where they gave birth. HIV test results were available at delivery for 46,648 (61.9%) women, 410 (0.9%) of whom tested positive. Of these HIV-infected women, 259 (63.2%) participated in the zidovudine program and 6 (1.5%) received zidovudine from other sources. The proportion of women whose HIV test results were known and proportion of HIV-infected women who received zidovudine increased significantly during the year.

A mother-infant HIV prevention program using short-course antenatal zidovudine was quickly implemented in a large region of Thailand with moderate HIV prevalence. This successful experience is leading to national implementation of a perinatal HIV prevention program in Thailand and may prompt other developing countries to start similar programs.