Postnatal HIV testing

Clinical description

• Around 1⁄3 of all remaining infant infections in 2021 are from women who are newly infected

during breastfeeding period. Almost all these women have tested HIV negative in ANC and maternity and are not in follow up.

• The main aim is to prevent new infection of the mother by testing and ART initiation of infected

sexual partners.

• This can be achieved through promotion of HIV self-testing and timely ART initiation of sexual

partners.

• Early diagnosis and treatment of these newly infected breastfeeding mothers and enrolment

of the infant into exposed child follow up can reduce the risk of infant transmission.

• Give HIV self-tests to all women at discharge from maternity / post-natal care for their sexual

partners.

o Advise the partner to self-test and/or come to the facility for HTS before resumption of sex.

o Advise all HIV positive partners to start ART without delay and use condoms for the first 6 months on ART

• Retest all breastfeeding women who are not known to be HIV positive between 6-9 months

postpartum at FP/MNH/EPI clinics or any health service delivery point.

• Initiate all HIV positives on ART and enroll the infant in HCC.
• Counsel on HIV risk reduction, offer condoms and PrEP for high-risk women.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)