Surreal illustration of mother protecting child from HIV.

Protecting the Future: Understanding and Preventing Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission

Theo Raines in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"A Closer Look at HIV Transmission Rates and Preventative Measures in Manaus, Brazil"

The journey to eliminate HIV transmission from mothers to their children is marked by both progress and persistent challenges. Globally, significant strides have been made through consistent implementation of prophylactic measures, yet disparities remain, highlighting the need for continued research and targeted interventions. Understanding the dynamics of this transmission is crucial in tailoring effective strategies.

In Brazil, where healthcare policies mandate serological screening for HIV during prenatal care, a considerable number of women are diagnosed with HIV during pregnancy. This underscores the importance of routine testing and early intervention programs. The rise in heterosexual transmission has further amplified the number of women affected, emphasizing the urgency of addressing vertical transmission—the transmission of HIV from mother to child.

A study conducted in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, sheds light on the demographic characteristics of HIV-infected pregnant women and the rate of mother-to-child transmission in the region. By analyzing notification data and patient records, researchers aimed to identify key factors influencing transmission rates and evaluate the effectiveness of existing preventative measures.

Key Findings: Unveiling the Factors Influencing HIV Transmission

Surreal illustration of mother protecting child from HIV.

The research in Manaus revealed critical insights into the landscape of HIV transmission. Out of 509 HIV-positive pregnant women, the vertical transmission rate stood at 9.9%. This figure, while significant, underscores the impact of ongoing interventions. The average age of the women was 27 years, with a substantial portion (54.8%) having not completed elementary school, indicating potential socio-economic challenges influencing access to healthcare and awareness.

Timing of diagnosis played a crucial role, with 22.6% of women diagnosed before pregnancy, 59.3% during prenatal care, 13.8% during delivery, and 4.3% following delivery. This distribution highlights the importance of early and consistent prenatal care in identifying and managing HIV-positive pregnancies.

Prenatal Care Impact: A notable 79.4% of women had prenatal care, with a corresponding 79.4% receiving antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy. Furthermore, 61.9% of newborn infants received prophylaxis, indicating a strong effort to prevent transmission.
Protective Factors: The study identified that living in an urban area and receiving prenatal care were protective factors against vertical HIV transmission. These findings suggest that access to healthcare services and urban living conditions can significantly reduce transmission rates.
Challenges: Despite these efforts, the transmission rate remains a concern. The study emphasizes the necessity of enhancing compliance with established preventative measures to further reduce transmission within the maternal and infant population.

The study's multivariate logistic regression model further confirmed these protective factors. Residing in an urban area [OR = 0.7 (95% CI: 0.35-0.89)] and receiving prenatal care [OR = 0.1 (95% CI: 0.04-0.24)] were significant in reducing the risk of vertical HIV transmission. These results underscore the critical role of accessible healthcare and supportive environments in preventing transmission.

Moving Forward: Strengthening Preventative Measures

The findings from Manaus highlight the ongoing need for vigilance and enhanced preventative measures to combat mother-to-child HIV transmission. Ensuring adequate compliance with established protocols, promoting early and consistent prenatal care, and addressing socio-economic disparities are critical steps in safeguarding the health of future generations. By focusing on these areas, healthcare providers and policymakers can work together to reduce transmission rates and improve outcomes for mothers and children.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1590/s0037-86822011000500001, Alternate LINK

Title: Mother-To-Child Transmission Of Hiv Infection In Manaus, State Of Amazonas, Brazil

Subject: Infectious Diseases

Journal: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical

Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

Authors: Claudia Marques De Oliveira Soeiro, Angélica Espinosa Miranda, Valeria Saraceni, Noaldo Oliveira De Lucena, Sinésio Talhari, Luiz Carlos De Lima Ferreira

Published: 2011-10-01

Everything You Need To Know

What was the rate of mother-to-child HIV transmission in Manaus, Brazil, according to the study?

In Manaus, Brazil, the vertical transmission rate, which is the transmission of HIV from mother to child, was found to be 9.9% among 509 HIV-positive pregnant women. This rate reflects the impact of ongoing interventions and highlights areas for further improvement in preventative measures.

What factors were identified as protective against vertical HIV transmission in the Manaus study?

The research conducted in Manaus identified that residing in an urban area and receiving prenatal care are protective factors against vertical HIV transmission. Specifically, the multivariate logistic regression model showed that living in an urban area [OR = 0.7 (95% CI: 0.35-0.89)] and receiving prenatal care [OR = 0.1 (95% CI: 0.04-0.24)] significantly reduced the risk of vertical HIV transmission.

At what stage were most women in the Manaus study diagnosed with HIV, and what does this indicate about prenatal care?

A significant portion of women in the Manaus study, 59.3%, were diagnosed with HIV during prenatal care, while 22.6% were diagnosed before pregnancy. A smaller percentage were diagnosed during delivery (13.8%) or following delivery (4.3%). This distribution emphasizes the importance of early and consistent prenatal care in identifying and managing HIV-positive pregnancies to prevent mother-to-child transmission.

Based on the findings, what specific measures can be strengthened to further reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission?

Several measures can be strengthened to further reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission. Ensuring better compliance with established preventative protocols, promoting early and consistent prenatal care, and addressing socio-economic disparities are critical. Additionally, interventions should focus on women diagnosed during delivery or postpartum to ensure timely treatment and prophylaxis for both mother and child. Continuous monitoring and evaluation of these measures are essential to adapt strategies effectively.

What interventions were already in place in Manaus to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission, and how effective were they?

The study highlights the importance of early HIV diagnosis during prenatal care, and interventions such as antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy (received by 79.4% of women) and prophylaxis for newborn infants (received by 61.9%). While these measures show a strong effort to prevent transmission, the remaining transmission rate emphasizes the need for even greater adherence to and expansion of these interventions to reach all pregnant women and their infants.