Timely Testing Improves Early Infant Diagnosis of HIV Infection
Timely Testing Improves Early Infant Diagnosis of HIV Infection
Since adopting Option B+ in 2011, Malawi has made significant progress in identifying and treating pregnant women living with HIV, thereby reducing vertical transmission. During the same time period, follow-up, diagnosis, and care of babies born to HIV-infected mothers also improved. Nevertheless, as in many other parts of Africa, Malawi continues to face challenges in ensuring that HIV- exposed infants (HEIs) are tested early and that infected babies start life-saving treatment immediately.
In support of Malawi’s strategic plan and objectives, the District Health System Strengthening and Quality Improvement for Service Delivery (DHSS) Project designed and began implementing a series of interventions to strengthen early infant diagnosis (EID) and early infant treatment (EIT) in the seven project-supported districts.
This January 2018 brief describes the project’s interventions and results around EID and EIT in the seven supported districts.