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The lives of adolescents and young people living with HIV (LHIV) are dominated by complex psychological and social stressors. These may be more pronounced among those perinatally infected. This longitudinal mixed-methods study describes the clinical and psychosocial challenges faced by HIV perinatally infected young mothers in Harare, Zimbabwe to inform tailored support. HIV perinatally infected young mothers were recruited in 2013 and followed up in 2019. In 2013, they completed a structured interview, clinical examination, psychological screening and had viral load and drug resistance testing. A subset completed in-depth interviews (n = 10). In 2019, they were re-interviewed and had viral load testing. Data were analyzed using STATA 15.0. and thematic analysis. Nineteen mothers aged 17-24 years were recruited in 2013. Eleven (57.9%) were successfully recontacted in 2019; 3 had died, 2 had relocated and 3 were untraceable. In 2013, all 19 mothers were taking antiretroviral therapy (median duration 8 years, range 2-11 years) and median CD4 count was 524 (IQR 272). In 2013, eight mothers (42.1%) had virological failure (≥1000 copies/ml) (3 of whom subsequently died) and 7 (36.8%) had evidence of drug resistance. In 2019, the proportion with virological failure was 2/11 (18.1%). Six of 11 (54.5%) had switched to second line therapy. In 2013, 64.3% were at risk of common mental disorder and this risk was higher at follow-up (72.7%). Qualitative data highlighted three pertinent themes: HIV status disclosure, adherence experiences and, social and emotional support. Findings from this study underscore the significant clinical, social and psychological challenges faced by perinatally infected young mothers. The high rates of virological failure, drug resistant mutations, mental health issues and mortality observed in this population indicate the need for tailored and comprehensive health and support services to assist these young mothers.

Globally, ten percent of new HIV infections are among children and most of these children acquire infection through mother-to-child transmission. To prevent this, lifelong ART among pregnant and breast feeding (PBF) women living with HIV, irrespective of the WHO clinical stage, was adopted (option B+). There is limited cohort-wise assessment of VL testing among women on 'option B+'. Among a pregnancy cohort on antiretroviral therapy in public hospitals and clinics of Mazowe district, Zimbabwe (2017), to determine the i) proportion undergoing VL testing anytime up to six months post child birth and associated factors; ii) turnaround time (TAT) from sending the specimen to results receipt and VL suppression among those undergoing VL testing. This was a cohort study involving secondary programme data. Modified Poisson regression using robust variance estimates was used to determine the independent predictors of VL testing. Of 1112 women, 354 (31.8%, 95% CI: 29.2-34.6) underwent VL testing: 113 (31.9%) during pregnancy, 124 (35%) within six months of child birth and for 117 (33.1%), testing period was unknown. Of 354, VL suppression was seen in 334 (94.4%) and 13 out of 20 with VL non-suppression underwent repeat VL testing. Among those with available dates (125/354), the median TAT was 93 days (IQR 19.3-255). Of 1112, VL results were available between 32 weeks and child birth in 31 (2.8%) women. When compared to hospitals, women registered for antenatal care in clinics were 36% less likely to undergo VL testing [aRR: 0.64 (95% CI: 0.53, 0.76)]. Among women on option B+, the uptake of HIV VL testing was low with unacceptably long TAT. VL suppression among those tested was satisfactory. There is an urgent need to prioritize VL testing among PBF women and to consider use of point of care machines. There is a critical need to strengthen the recording and local utilisation of routine clinic data in order to successfully monitor progress of healthcare services provided.

Prevention of unintended pregnancies among women living with HIV infection is a strategy recommended by the World Health Organization for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT). We assessed pregnancy intentions and contraceptive use among HIV-positive and HIV-negative women with a recent pregnancy in Zimbabwe. We analyzed baseline data from the evaluation of Zimbabwe's Accelerated National PMTCT Program. Eligible women were randomly sampled from the catchment areas of 157 health facilities offering PMTCT services in five provinces. Eligible women were ≥16 years old and mothers of infants (alive or deceased) born 9 to 18 months prior to the interview. Participants were interviewed about their HIV status, intendedness of the birth, and contraceptive use. Of 8,797 women, the mean age was 26.7 years, 92.8% were married or had a regular sexual partner, and they had an average of 2.7 lifetime births. Overall, 3,090 (35.1%) reported that their births were unintended; of these women, 1,477 (47.8%) and 1,613 (52.2%) were and were not using a contraceptive method prior to learning that they were pregnant, respectively. Twelve percent of women reported that they were HIV-positive at the time of the survey; women who reported that they were HIV-infected were significantly more likely to report that their pregnancy was unintended compared to women who reported that they were HIV-uninfected (44.9% vs. 33.8%, p<0.01). After adjustment for covariates, among women with unintended births, there was no association between self-reported HIV status and lack of contraception use prior to pregnancy. Unmet need for family planning and contraceptive failure contribute to unintended pregnancies among women in Zimbabwe. Both HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women reported unintended pregnancies despite intending to avoid or delay pregnancy, highlighting the need for effective contraceptive methods that align with pregnancy intentions.

Background Achievement of the elimination target for mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV in selected countries has increased hope to end the HIV epidemic in children across the world. However, MTCT rates remain well above the 5% elimination target in most sub-Saharan Africa countries. These countries require innovative strategies to scale-up their interventions to end paediatric HIV. We describe how the Elizabeth Glaser Paediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) consortium and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) used the critical path method to facilitate rapid expansion and optimization of 2010 and 2013 WHO PMTCT guidelines to reduce Zimbabwe’s MTCT rate from 22% in 2010 to 6.4% in 2015. Methods We analysed activities implemented and PMTCT programme data for the period before and during the EGPAF-CIFF project. The critical path method involved a cycle of collecting and analysing quarterly PMTCT indicator data and planning and implementing targeted activities to improve the PMTCT indicators. We performed a graphical trend analysis of data that measured availability of PMTCT services. Using Pearson’s Chi2 test, we compared results of PMTCT uptake indicators at the start and end of the EGPAF-CIFF project and used regression discontinuity analysis to assess effectiveness of activities implemented to improve the PMTCT service uptake indicators. Results Zimbabwe rolled out WHO 2010 and 2013 PMTCT guidelines in less than 1 year during the EGPAF-CIFF project, yet it took more than 4 years to roll-out previous guidelines. All PMTCT indicators increased significantly ( p  < 0.001) comparing the five-year periods before and during the EGPAF-CIFF project. Critical path activities implemented increased five of the seven PMTCT uptake indicators. Conclusion Zimbabwe rapidly rolled-out and optimised new WHO PMTCT guidelines and drastically reduced its MTCT rate using the critical path method. We recommend wider use of the critical path method in public health programmes.

Introduction Maternal antiretroviral therapy (ART) with viral suppression prior to conception, during pregnancy and throughout the breastfeeding period accompanied by infant postnatal prophylaxis (PNP) forms the foundation of current approaches to preventing vertical HIV transmission. Unfortunately, infants continue to acquire HIV infections, with half of these infections occurring during breastfeeding. A consultative meeting of stakeholders was held to review the current state of PNP globally, including the implementation of WHO PNP guidelines in different settings and identifying the key factors affecting PNP uptake and impact, with an aim to optimize future innovative strategies. Discussion WHO PNP guidelines have been widely implemented with adaptations to the programme context. Some programmes with low rates of antenatal care attendance, maternal HIV testing, maternal ART coverage and viral load testing capacity have opted against risk‐stratification and provide an enhanced PNP regimen for all infants exposed to HIV, while other programmes provide infant daily nevirapine antiretroviral (ARV) prophylaxis for an extended duration to cover transmission risk throughout the breastfeeding period. A simplified risk stratification approach may be more relevant for high‐performing vertical transmission prevention programmes, while a simplified non‐risk stratified approach may be more appropriate for sub‐optimally performing programmes given implementation challenges. In settings with concentrated epidemics, where the epidemic is often driven by key populations, infants who are found to be exposed to HIV should be considered at high risk for HIV acquisition. All settings could benefit from newer technologies that promote retention during pregnancy and throughout the breastfeeding period. There are several challenges in enhanced and extended PNP implementation, including ARV stockouts, lack of appropriate formulations, lack of guidance on alternative ARV options for prophylaxis, poor adherence, poor documentation, inconsistent infant feeding practices and in inadequate retention throughout the duration of breastfeeding. Conclusions Tailoring PNP strategies to a programmatic context may improve access, adherence, retention and HIV‐free outcomes of infants exposed to HIV. Newer ARV options and technologies that enable simplification of regimens, non‐toxic potent agents and convenient administration, including longer‐acting formulations, should be prioritized to optimize the effect of PNP in the prevention of vertical HIV transmission.

Despite high antiretroviral (ARV) treatment coverage among pregnant women for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Zimbabwe, the MTCT rate is still high. Therefore in 2016, the country adopted World Health Organization recommendations of stratifying pregnant women into \"High\" or\"Low\" MTCT risk for subsequent provision of HIV exposed infant (HEI) with appropriate follow-up care according to risk status. The study sought to ascertain, among pregnant women who delivered in clinics of Harare in August 2017: the extent to which high risk MTCT pregnancies were identified at time of delivery; and whether their newborns were initiated on appropriate ARV prophylaxis, cotrimoxazole prophylaxis, subjected to early HIV diagnostic testing and initiated on ARV treatment. Cross-sectional study using review of records of routinely collected program data. Of the 1,786 pregnant women who delivered in the selected clinics, HIV status at the time of delivery was known for 1,756 (98%) of whom 197 (11%) were HIV seropositive. Only 19 (10%) could be classified as \"high risk\" for MTCT and the remaining 90% lacked adequate information to classify them into high or low risk for MTCT due to missing data. Of the 197 live births, only two (1%) infants had a nucleic-acid test (NAT) at birth and 32 (16%) infants had NAT at 6 weeks. Of all 197 infants, 183 (93%) were initiated on single ARV prophylaxis (Nevirapine), 15 (7%) infants' ARV prophylaxis status was not documented and one infant got dual ARV prophylaxis (Nevirapine+Zidovudine). There was paucity of data requisite for MTCT risk stratification due to poor recording of data; \"high risk\" women were missed in the few circumstances where sufficient data were available. Thus \"high risk\" HEI are deprived of dual ARV prophylaxis and priority HIV NAT at birth and onwards which they require for PMTCT. Health workers need urgent training, mentorship and supportive supervision to master data management and perform MTCT risk stratification satisfactorily.

Early infant diagnosis (EID) of HIV provides an opportunity for early HIV detection and access to appropriate Antiretroviral treatment (ART). Dried Blood Spot (DBS) samples are used for EID of exposed infants, born to HIV-positive mothers. However, DBS rejection rates in Zimbabwe have been exceeding the target of less than 2% per month set by the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory (NMRL), in Harare. The aim of this study was to determine the DBS sample rejection rate, the reasons for rejection and the possible associations between rejection and level of health facility where the samples were collected. This is an analytical cross-sectional study using routine DBS sample data from the NMRL in Harare, Zimbabwe, between January and December 2017.A total of 34 950 DBS samples were received at the NMRL. Of these, 1291(4%) were rejected. Reasons for rejection were insufficient specimen volume (72%), missing request form (11%), missing sample (6%), cross-contamination (6%), mismatch of information (4%) and clotted sample (1%). Samples collected from clinics/rural health facilities were five times more likely to be rejected compared to those from a central hospital. Rejection rates were above the set target of <2%. The reasons for rejection were 'pre-analytical' errors including labelling errors, missing or inconsistent data, and insufficient blood collected. Samples collected at primary healthcare facilities had higher rejection rates.

Background The survival of HIV-infected infants depends on early identification and initiation on effective treatment. HIV-exposed infants are tested at 6 weeks of age; however, testing for HIV sooner (e.g., shortly after birth) can identify in utero infection, which is associated with rapid progression. Infant early diagnostic virologic tests often have long turnaround times, reducing the utility of early testing. Point-of-care (POC) testing allows neonates born in health facilities to get results prior to discharge. This study aimed to understand the views of mothers and health workers regarding the use and acceptability of POC birth testing. Methods Beginning in 2018, Zimbabwe offered standard HIV testing at birth to high-risk HIV-exposed infants; as part of a pilot program, at 10 selected hospitals, POC birth testing (BT) was offered to every HIV-exposed infant. In order to understand experiences at the selected sites, 48 interviews were held: 23 with mothers and 25 with health workers, including 6 nurses-in-charge. Participants were purposively sampled across the participating sites. Interviews were held in English, Shona, or Ndebele, and transcribed in English. Line-by-line coding was carried out, and the constant comparison method of analysis was used to identify key themes for each respondent type. Results Findings were organized under four themes: challenges with BT, acceptability of BT, benefits of BT, and recommendations for BT programs. Overall, BT was well accepted by mothers and health workers because it encouraged mothers to better care for their uninfected newborns or initiate treatment more rapidly for infected infants. While the benefits were well understood, mothers felt there were some challenges, namely that they should be informed in advance about testing procedures and tested in a more private setting. Mothers and HCWs also recommended improving awareness of BT, both among health care workers and in the community in general, as well as ensuring that facilities are well-stocked with supplies and can deliver results in a timely way before scaling up programs. Conclusions Mothers and health workers strongly support implementation and expansion of birth testing programs due to the benefits for newborns. The challenges noted should be taken as planning guidance, rather than reasons to delay or discontinue birth testing programs.

Zimbabwe has made large strides in addressing HIV. To ensure a continued robust response, a clear understanding of costs associated with its HIV program is critical. We conducted a cross-sectional evaluation in 2017 to estimate the annual average patient cost for accessing Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) services (through antenatal care) and Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) services in Zimbabwe. Twenty sites representing different types of public health facilities in Zimbabwe were included. Data on patient costs were collected through in-person interviews with 414 ART and 424 PMTCT adult patients and through telephone interviews with 38 ART and 47 PMTCT adult patients who had missed their last appointment. The mean and median annual patient costs were examined overall and by service type for all participants and for those who paid any cost. Potential patient costs related to time lost were calculated by multiplying the total time to access services (travel time, waiting time, and clinic visit duration) by potential earnings (US $75 per month assuming 8 hours per day and 5 days per week). Mean annual patient costs for accessing services for the participants was US$ 20.00 [standard deviation (SD) = US $80.42, median = US$ 6.00, range = US $0.00–US$ 12,18.00] for PMTCT and US $18.73 (SD = US$ 58.54, median = US $8.00, range = US$ 0.00–US $ 908.00) for ART patients. The mean annual direct medical costs for PMTCT and ART were US$ 9.78 (SD = US $78.58, median = US$ 0.00, range = US $0.00–US$90) and US $7.49 (SD = US$ 60.00, median = US $0.00) while mean annual direct non-medical cost for US$ 10.23 (SD = US $17.35, median = US$ 4.00) and US $11.23 (SD = US$ 25.22, median = US $6.00, range = US$ 0.00–US $ 360.00). The PMTCT and ART costs per visit based on time lost were US$ 3.53 (US $1.13 to US$ 8.69) and US $3.43 (US$ 1.14 to US$8.53), respectively. The mean annual patient costs per person for PMTCT and ART in this evaluation will impact household income since PMTCT and ART services in Zimbabwe are supposed to be free.

Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has globally impacted health service access, delivery and resources. There are limited data regarding the impact on the prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) service delivery in low-resource settings. Neotree ( www.neotree.org ) combines data collection, clinical decision support and education to improve care for neonates. Here we evaluate impacts of COVID-19 on care for HIV-exposed neonates. Methods Data on HIV-exposed neonates admitted to the neonatal unit (NNU) at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, Zimbabwe, between 01/06/2019 and 31/12/2021 were analysed, with pandemic start defined as 21/03/2020 and periods of industrial action (doctors (September 2019-January 2020) and nurses (June 2020-September 2020)) included, resulting in modelling during six time periods: pre-doctors’ strike (baseline); doctors’ strike; post-doctors’ strike and pre-COVID; COVID and pre-nurses’ strike; nurses’ strike; post nurses’ strike. Interrupted time series models were used to explore changes in indicators over time. Results Of 8,333 neonates admitted to the NNU, 904 (11%) were HIV-exposed. Mothers of 706/765 (92%) HIV-exposed neonates reported receipt of antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy. Compared to the baseline period when average admissions were 78 per week (95% confidence interval (CI) 70–87), significantly fewer neonates were admitted during all subsequent periods until after the nurses’ strike, with the lowest average number during the nurses’ strike (28, 95% CI 23–34, p < 0.001). Across all time periods excluding the nurses strike, average mortality was 20% (95% CI 18–21), but rose to 34% (95% CI 25, 46) during the nurses’ strike. There was no evidence for heterogeneity (p > 0.22) in numbers of admissions or mortality by HIV exposure status. Fewer HIV-exposed neonates received a PCR test during the pandemic (23%) compared to the pre-pandemic periods (40%) (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.41–0.84, p < 0.001). The proportion of HIV-exposed neonates who received antiretroviral prophylaxis during admission was high throughout, averaging between 84% and 95% in each time-period. Conclusion While antiretroviral prophylaxis for HIV-exposed neonates remained high throughout, concerning data on low admissions and increased mortality, similar in HIV-exposed and unexposed neonates, and reduced HIV testing, suggest some aspects of care may have been compromised due to indirect effects of the pandemic.