Rising mother-to-child HIV transmission in a resource-limited breastfeeding population.

The objective of this study was to determine mother to child HIV transmission rates at different time points in a breastfeeding cohort enrolled in a single dose nevirapine program in Harare, Zimbabwe. Between 2002-2004, 434 HIV-positive mothers and their infants were recruited and followed up from delivery to 15 months. Infant blood specimens were collected for HIV testing at these time points.

Access to occupational postexposure prophylaxis for primary health care workers in rural Africa: a cross-sectional study.

Background: For many primary health care workers in developing countries, the limited availability and cost of public transport hinders timely access to occupational postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) at referral hospitals. Adapted PEP training and a starter's kit (for human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, and syphilis prophylaxis) could improve access.

Methods: The evaluation method, based on the 12 steps of the decentralized phase of PEP management, calculated different scores from the responses for 51 anonymous surveys and allowed comparison among different groups.

HIV disclosure and discussions about grief with Shona children: a comparison between health care workers and community members in Eastern Zimbabwe.

Research in HIV-related counseling for African children has concentrated on urban tertiary hospitals, but most children have their first health care encounter at a rural primary health care center. This study investigated perceptions about the acceptability of disclosing the parents' or child's HIV status to a child and talking about grief with children, as well as the preferred time, type and setting for HIV disclosure. An anonymous survey was taken from 64 primary health care workers and 131 community members from rural Eastern Zimbabwe.

Care and treatment of HIV-infected children in Africa: issues and challenges at the district hospital level.

More than 90% of pediatric HIV infection occurs in sub-Saharan Africa and 75% of these children currently die before their fifth birthday. Most HIV-infected children in Africa rely on district hospitals for HIV treatment, but insufficient attention has been paid to improving HIV/AIDS care at this level. Considerable confusion exists about optimal use of combination antiretroviral treatment, prophylaxis for opportunistic infections and other rational healthcare interventions that can greatly improve the quality of life for these children.