The impact of the Ebola epidemic on HIV PMTCT

The N'Zérékoré region has 6 health districts with a total population of 1696807 in 2015 [1]. HIV prevalence is 1.6% in Guinea with 120000 people including 65000 women [2]. In Guinea during the Ebola virus disease epidemic the N'Zérékoré region was the most affected leading to dysfunctional health services. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the Ebola epidemic on HIV PMTCT. It covered a 4-year period and focused on HIV-positive pregnant women and their children in 19 health centers. We found a prevalence rate of 0.88% and an acceptance rate of 44.03%. Housewives accounted for 64%. The ARV treatment completion rate fell from 54.95% to 23.23%. The number of patients lost to follow-up increased during the Ebola epidemic. However the rate of assisted deliveries fell from 94.87% to 69.17% p = 8.126e-06. Similarly the number of children protected fell from 50.55% to 16.67%. HIV PMTCT has been negatively impacted as evidenced by a drop in the number of assisted deliveries an increase in the number of lost to follow-up break-ups etc. and a decrease in the number of children protected.