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Presentation for care and antenatal management of HIV in the UK, 2009−2014
Author(s) -
French CE,
Thorne C,
Byrne L,
CortinaBorja M,
Tookey PA
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
hiv medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.53
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1468-1293
pISSN - 1464-2662
DOI - 10.1111/hiv.12410
Subject(s) - medicine , interquartile range , pregnancy , obstetrics , gestational age , logistic regression , gestation , pediatrics , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , antiretroviral therapy , viral load , prenatal care , population , family medicine , environmental health , genetics , biology
Objectives Despite very low rates of vertical transmission of HIV in the UK overall, rates are higher among women starting antenatal antiretroviral therapy ( ART ) late. We investigated the timing of key elements of the care of HIV ‐positive pregnant women [antenatal care booking, HIV laboratory assessment ( CD 4 count and HIV viral load) and antenatal ART initiation], to assess whether clinical practice is changing in line with recommendations, and to investigate factors associated with delayed care. Methods We used the UK 's National Study of HIV in Pregnancy and Childhood for 2009−2014. Data were analysed by fitting logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models. Results A total of 5693 births were reported; 79.5% were in women diagnosed with HIV prior to that pregnancy. Median gestation at antenatal booking was 12.1 weeks [interquartile range ( IQR ) 10.0–15.6 weeks] and booking was significantly earlier during 2012–2014 vs . 2009–2011 ( P < 0.001), although only in previously diagnosed women. Overall, 42.2% of pregnancies were booked late (≥ 13 gestational weeks). Among women not already on treatment, antenatal ART commenced at a median of 21.4 ( IQR 18.1–24.5) weeks and started significantly earlier in the most recent time period ( P < 0.001). Compared with previously diagnosed women, those newly diagnosed during the current pregnancy booked later for antenatal care and started antenatal ART later (both P < 0.001). Multivariable analyses revealed demographic variations in access to or uptake of care, with groups including migrants and parous women initiating care later. Conclusions Although women are accessing antenatal and HIV care earlier in pregnancy, some continue to face barriers to timely initiation of antenatal care and ART .