HIV Transmission from Mother to Infant Increasingly Rises

HIV transmission from mother to infant tends to increase steadily over the increasing number of women with HIV in Indonesia. Although the prevalence data of HIV transmission from mother to baby is still limited, but the trend of transmission will continue to rise because the number of HIV positive pregnant women tend to increase.

Thus disclosed Deputy Assistant Regional Development of the National AIDS Commission Good Rahmat Prabowo in discussion "The Importance of Providing Access to HIV / AIDS Prevention of Mother to Child (Prevention-Mother-To-Child-Transmission/PMTCT-)" which was held in Bandung Frisian Flag Indonesia ,

Good explains, from about 4.5 million pregnancies in Indonesia every year, an estimated 25 percent raises risk of HIV transmission from mother to baby. Estmasi This can be seen from the HIV screening data obtained from PMTCT services.

"Data in 2008 showed that the number of pregnant women who test for HIV as many as 5167 people, of which 1306 (25%) of them HIV positive," he said.

Good adds, until 2008, has been available PMTCT services to 30 services are integrated in the MCH services (antenatal care). PMTCT programs have also been adopted by several institutions of society, especially for outreach and expand access to PMTCT services.

Increased number of HIV positive pregnant women, continued Good, makes the need for PMTCT services will increase. Based on the results of projections and modeling of the HIV epidemic, the number of positive pregnant women who need PMTCT services will increase from 5730 persons in 2010 to 8170 people in 2014.

On the same occasion, Dr. Reni Ghrahani of Allergy Immunology Division Staff Section of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Padjadjaran states, prevention becomes very important because every pregnant women with HIV / AIDS to their babies at risk of transmitting 25 to 45 percent. The risk of transmission when the mother has appeared in a state of pregnancy, during childbirth until later when breastfeeding their babies.

"Poor people's knowledge related to transmission and prevention of HIV / AIDS to make Indonesia as the fastest country in the spread of HIV / AIDS in Asia. The worse the condition of the mother, risk of transmission to infants will increase. The process of delivery by Caesarean section and do not give milk to babies from mothers with HIV / AIDS can reduce the risk of transmission to 35 percent, "he said.

Meanwhile, Corporate Communications Manager Frisian Flag Indonesia (FFI) Anton Susanto, confirms it is committed to improving nutrition and public health, especially children.

For this reason, the FFI has commenced involvement in the partnership program to provide access to HIV prevention from mother to child (PMTCT) in Bandung since March 2009. FFI has teamed up with the KPA, Bandung, West Java Commission for Health (KUJBS) and several nongovernmental organizations to help the PMTCT program through the provision of counseling and monitoring support to mothers with HIV / AIDS.

"We are aware that in several countries has shown that preventive action through PMTCT programs can reduce the risk of transmission rates significantly," he said.

For his support of the PMTCT program in Bandung since two years ago, FFI receives award from Bandung City Government. Award presented by Mayor Dada Rosada coincide with World AIDS Day