Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model
23:56

Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model

Published on: October 31, 2010

HIV risk exposure among South African children in public health facilities

O Shisana1, C Connolly, T M Rehle

  • 1Human Science Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa. oshisana@hsrc.ac.za

AIDS Care
|August 30, 2008
PubMed

Insights

HIV risk in South African children is primarily mother-to-child, but other transmission routes exist. Breastfeeding by non-biological mothers and dental procedures pose risks, highlighting the need for improved infection control and education.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is a significant route of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in children.
  • Understanding non-vertical transmission routes is crucial for comprehensive HIV prevention strategies in pediatric populations.
  • South Africa faces a substantial burden of pediatric HIV, necessitating detailed risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate risk factors for HIV infection exposure in South African children aged 2-9 years.
  • To identify modes of HIV transmission beyond mother-to-child transmission in the study population.
  • To inform public health interventions for preventing pediatric HIV infections.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 3471 children and their biological mothers were recruited from public health services in the Free State Province.
  • Blood samples were collected for HIV testing, and exposure factors were assessed through nurse-administered questionnaires.
  • DNA testing confirmed maternity in cases of HIV-discordant mother-child pairs. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression.

Main Results:

  • Maternal HIV status was a strong predictor of child HIV infection (OR: 310).
  • Seven HIV-positive children had HIV-negative mothers, with transmission linked to non-biological mother breastfeeding (OR: 437), milk room expressed breast milk (OR: 37.6), dental injection history (OR: 31.5), and dental visits (OR: 26.9).
  • These findings indicate potential risks of non-vertical HIV transmission in children.

Conclusions:

  • While MTCT is the predominant HIV transmission route in South African children, other transmission pathways are evident.
  • Non-vertical transmission risks, particularly associated with breastfeeding practices and dental procedures, require targeted prevention efforts.
  • Enhanced education and improved infection-control measures are essential to mitigate non-vertical HIV transmission risks in children.

More Related Videos

An Affordable HIV-1 Drug Resistance Monitoring Method for Resource Limited Settings19:57

An Affordable HIV-1 Drug Resistance Monitoring Method for Resource Limited Settings

Published on: March 30, 2014

Isolation of Leukocytes from Human Breast Milk for Use in an Antibody-dependent Cellular Phagocytosis Assay of HIV Targets08:12

Isolation of Leukocytes from Human Breast Milk for Use in an Antibody-dependent Cellular Phagocytosis Assay of HIV Targets

Published on: September 6, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
Sexually Transmitted Infections01:26

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
Amebiasis01:28

Amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures01:22

Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures

Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...