1.

tremendous success in the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, the failure to follow the HIV testing algorithm for HIV Exposed Infants (HEIs) after birth is likely to make achieving zero new HIV infections among children unrealistic. Due to this, we sought to determine the factors affecting uptake of first Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test among HEIs to inform the selection of strategies to strengthen Early Infant Diagnosis (EID), an indicator that tracks progress towards achieving zero new HIV infections in children.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted among 323 randomly selected HIV positive mothers and their HEIs receiving PMTCT services at10 selected ART accredited health facilities in western Uganda from 19 th July to 19 th August 2018. Data was collected using a questionnaire; HEIs, whose PCR test was taken within two months, and those after two months of birth were all randomly selected and included in this study. We used descriptive statistics to understand characteristics of HEIs and their mothers, and multivariable logistic regression model to obtain factors associated with first PCR testing among HEIs. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.

Results: Slightly more than half (54.2%) of HEIs had their first PCR test done after two months of birth. HEIs born to HIV positive mothers with more than three children were less likely to have their first PCR test within two months after birth (AOR = 0.47, CI= 0.318-0.789, p = 0.01), those whose mothers travel a distance less than 5 kilometers to the nearest health facility (AOR = 6.22, CI=4.223-9.865, p = 0.036) were more likely to have their PCR test within two months after birth, and those whose mothers were not informed about testing their HEIs for HIV within two months by the health worker (AOR = 0.39, CI=0.208-0.965, p = 0.042) were less likely to have the first PCR test within two months of birth.

Conclusions: we found out that slightly more than half of HEIs had their first PCR test done more than two months after birth. We recommend the implementation of policies fostering small families for HIV positive women, taking ART services closer to the people through outreaches and health workers informing HIV positive mothers about the correct timing for HIV testing of HEIs.

Keywords: HIV virological test, PCR HIV test, HIV exposed, infants, western uganda.

Background lobally, about 36.9 million people were living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in 2017;70% of these were residing in sub-Saharan Africa [1]. About 1.8 million people in the same year were newly infected, and of these, 180000 were children [1]. About 90% of children acquire HIV from their mothers during pregnancy, delivery, and breastfeeding [2]. However, the introduction of Option B-plus where HIV positive mothers are started on lifelong ART as early as possible in pregnancy and throughout breastfeeding has continued to yield tremendous results in the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. This is shown by a decline in the proportion of new HIV infections among children by 35%from 270,000 in 2010 to 180,000 in 2017 globally [1] and by 50.6% from 31, 000 in 2011 before the introduction of Option B-plus in Uganda to 15,000in 2013 [3].

The PMTCT strategy in Uganda comprises of the provision of treatment, care, and support to women infected with HIV, their children, and their families [4]. It also defines the postnatal PMTCT package for HEIs that includes Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) through first HIV PCR testing of HEIs within two months (between 6 and 8 weeks) of birth, followed by second HIV PCR testing at six weeks after cessation of breastfeeding and a rapid HIV test at 18 months of age [4]. Health workers, caretakers, and the community must follow the HIV HEI testing algorithm to achieve EID for appropriate prevention, treatment, care, and support; and to track progress towards achieving zero new HIV infections in children [4].

Despite the rollout of the HIV testing algorithm to health workers, timelines for these tests are not followed, affecting infant treatment, care, and support. In Uganda, only 40.2% in 2012, 41.9% in 2013, 33% in 2014, and 38% in 2015 of HEIs received a PCR test for HIV within two months of birth [3]. This was far below the national target of 80% [3] and indicated an increasing trend of missed opportunities for EID [3]. The poor timing of first virological HIV testing among HEIs is attributed to low rate of health facility deliveries, poor attendances for postnatal care services, low male involvement, poor sensitization, and cultural perceptions coupled with patriarchal based traditions which are dominant in Uganda [3,4].

Delay in testing HEIs after birth makes breastfeeding mothers stay in a zone of comfort and not to put much effort on measures to prevent their HEIs from acquiring HIV; this predisposes to increasing HIV positivity rate among HEIs and retards the country's progress towards achieving zero new HIV infections among children [4]. Due to this, we sought to determine the factors influencing uptake of first PCR testing among HEIs to inform the evidence-based selection of strategies to improve Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) and ensure that every HEI testing positive is initiated on lifelong ART as soon as possible.

This study employed a cross-sectional descriptive study design and was carried out from 19 th July to 19 th August 2018. The study area had a total of 45 ART accredited health centers; of these ten high volume health centers located in Bwera, Kilembe, Rukoki, Hiima, Karambi, Kasanga, St Paul Cathedral, Katadoba, Kasese Municipality, and Bishop Masereka foundation in the Rwenzori sub-region, Western Uganda were selected. These were considered because of the large numbers of HEIs in care. The study included HIV positive mothers and their HEIs aged between 6 weeks and 18 months; those eligible forthe first PCR test and receiving PMTCT services from the selected health centers. These health centers had a total of 626 HEIs in care. The majority of HIV positive mothers selected for this study live along the foothills of the Rwenzori ranges where they engage in small scale crop growing, animal rearing, and business activities.

The sample size was determined using the Leslie Kish survey sampling formula [10]; Z (the value from standard normal distribution) corresponding to desired confidence level of 95%, was 1.96, p is the proportion of HEIs who miss first virological testing within two months of birth, estimated at 69.8% (0.698) [3], e is the desired level of precision, set at 5% (0.05); arriving at N (actual sample size)of 323.

We obtained lists of HIV positive breastfeeding women per selected health facility offering ART services by searching ART registers at the postnatal clinic for HIV positive mothers with HEIs aged 6 weeks to 18 months. The Art number, cohort, date of next appointment, and other details of every mother and infant found were written down. Preliminarily, each health facility had an independent list and later merged to come up with a single general list. All registered HIV positive breastfeeding women were entered in the computer excel sheet from which we randomly selected 323 HIV positive women and their infants.

The HC: Health Centre Initially, we noted the date of the next appointment of each selected HIV positive mother and her HEI.We interviewed mothers as they came to the postnatal clinic at every study health centre. If amother did not turn up for services on her appointment date, she was followed up through existing follow up systems such as Village Health Teams (VHTs) and peer mothers the following day and interviewed from her home.

Data was collected using a questionnaire. Questions on client socio-demographics, client factors, health center factors, and community factors influencing uptake of first PCR HIV test were asked. We asked questions related to the timing of the first PCR for HEIs, whether the mother was informed about testing her HEI within two months of birth or not and how mothers are generally handled at the clinic by the attending health worker. Data collection was done in separate rooms at the postnatal clinics of the different study health centers. Every woman who was followed up at home was requested to find a separate place in her compound or sitting room with maximum privacy and confidentiality. We asked mothers to respond to questions genuinely. We read the questions on the questionnaire as the participants listened. Participant responses were ticked on given responses on the questionnaire to minimize errors in recording.

Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Participant demographic characteristics were summarized using descriptive statistics. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine factors associated with low uptake of the first PCR test. Variables with p-value <0.2 after bivariate analysis were included in the multivariate logistic regression model.

Approval from a local ethics committee at the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), Uganda Martyrs University (UMU), was obtained. Written consent was obtained from all mothers and legal caretakers of HIV Exposed Infants.

A total of 323 mothers of HEIs participated in this study. Nearly half, 152(47.1%) of the respondents were Bakonzo by the tribe. About three quarters, 236(73.1%) were aged 25 years and above. Most, 227(70.3%) were married and living with their spouses. More than half, 203 (62.8%) had not completed the primary level of education [see table 2].

Slightly more than half of the HEIs, 175(54.2%)had their first virological test (PCR) after two months of birth.

HEIs born to HIV positive mothers with more than three children were less likely to have their first PCR test within two months after birth (AOR = 0.47, CI=0.318-0.789, p = 0.001), those whose mothers travel a distance less than 5 kilometers to nearest health facility (AOR = 6.22, CI=4.223-9.865, p = 0.036) were more likely to have the first PCR test within two months, and those whose mothers were not informed about testing their HEIs for HIV within two months by the health worker (AOR = 0.39, CI=0.208-0.965, p = 0.042) were less likely to have the first PCR test within two months of birth [see table 3].

Slightly less than half (45.8%) of the HEIs had their first virological test within two months after birth, far below the national target of 80% [3]. Delay in testing HEIs makes women stay in a comfortable zone and are more likely to under estimate the risk that the infant can acquire HIV through breast feeding. Non-adherence tovirological testing among HEIs is a sign that the mother and her HEI are not retained in HIV care, which increases the risk of MTCT and consequently retarding the country's progress towards achieving zero new HIV infections among children [4].

In this study, an HIV positive mother having more than three children influences the timing ofthe first HIV virological test for her HEI. A mother is overburdened taking care of many children on addition to taking care of herself resulting in late first virological testing for her HEI [5]. The burden is worsened when a mother is single or in a polygamous family and thus not expecting any spousal support [5,6]. Similarly, hailing from a distance less than 5 kilometers to the nearest health facility was more likely to cause infant PCR testing within two months after birth. Conversely, hailing from a distance more than 5 kilometers from a health facility results in untimely virological testing of HEIs. services, especially with mothers who cannot afford transport costs. As a result, mothers keep on postponing dates of taking their HEIs to the health centre for virological testing. In so doing, HEIs are tested after two months of age [7, 8, and 9]. HEIs of HIV positive mothers not informed about testing within two months after birth were less likely to have their first virological tests within the recommended time. Similarly, mothers who knew the timing for the confirmatory test were less likely to have their HEIs tested within two months after birth. A mother knowing the date of the confirmatory test and not knowing the date of the initial virological test is an indication that health workers could have emphasized the timing of the confirmatory test more than the initial test. Due to this, mothers end up not following the timelines for the initial virological test.

Poor information giving by health workers to HIV positive mothers contributes to delays in first HIV virological testing increasing the chances of HIV transmission to HEIs [11,12].

V.

We found out that slightly more than half of HEIs had their first PCR more than two months after birth. We recommend the implementation of policies fostering small families for HIV positive women, taking ART services closer to the people through outreaches, and health workers informing HIV positive mothers about the correct timing for HIV testing of HEIs.

The study relied on responses from mothers and some of these might have been affected by recall bias. We endeavored to clearly articulate the questions to ensure that the mothers respond accurately.

Approval was sought from a local ethics committee at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Uganda Martyrs University. Written consent was sought from all mothers and legal caretakers of HIV Exposed Infants.

All data and materials for this study shall be availed whenever requested by editorial team and other users. The data set can be accessed by sending a request to [email protected] Has the nurse or doctor ever told you about testing the child for HIV?