Medicines Control Agency, Gambia The
Introduction: The Gambia faces a significant public health challenge with rising HIV infection rates. The study aims to assess if the country has met all 95 PMTCT service targets by December 2022.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at PMTCT sites. We reviewed data of women who came for antenatal care and recieved HIV services from January to December 2022. Data was collected from hospital records and DHIS 2, including demographics, HIV testing methods, HIV status, care linkage, treatment, and death.
Results Of the 78,258 pregnant women tested for HIV in 2022, 579 (0.7%) were found positive, 506 (87%) were enrolled for treatment, 22 (16.4%) had their viral load suppressed, while fatality was0.5% Out of the total enrolled for treatment, 134 (134/506 = 26.4%) (20.4%) had there their viral load tested and of these, 22 (16.4%) had their viral load suppressed.
HIV is higher among urban PMTCT services (73.9%) compared to rural PMTCT (26.1%), with rural HIV positives (69.7%) enrolling more than urban positives (61.6%) with [PR: 2.1 (95% CI 1.7413-2.5263)] and [PR: 0.9 (95% CI 0.8304-0.93880)] respectively.
Urban facilities (53%) have more viral load testing than rural facilities (47%), and also urban PMTCT services (63.6%) has more of their viral load suppressed compared to rural areas (36.4%) with [PR: 0.4 (95% CI 0.2636-0.5994)] and [PR: 1.8 (95% CI 0.7184–4.7218)] respectively.
Conclusion: The Gambia has not met the second and third 95 UNAIDS targets by 2022, despite a low incident rate and viral load testing rate. The National AID Secretariat should enhance viral load testing and conduct further studies on factors contributing to low suppression.
Musa N. Corr is a dedicated professional at the Medicines Control Agency in Gambia, focusing on regulatory affairs to ensure the safety and efficacy of medicinal products in the country.