Jaipur: While many family planning indicators have been affected because Covid, screening for HIV in pregnant women has registered growth for 2020-21.
Playback is done to prevent vertical transmission of infection from infected mothers to the fetus.
In 2020-21, the state reported 15.3 Lakh HIV tests in pregnant women, up from 14.2 lakh in 2018-19 and 15.2 lakh in 2019-20.
“In 2020-21, we reported more testing HIV in pregnant women who came to the hospital for Ante-Christmas care,” said Dr.
Ravi Prakash Sharma, Director (AIDS).
Every time a pregnant woman comes for the first antenatal examination to any hospital, the doctor encourages him to complete the HIV test, which is voluntary.
“HIV testing is done to detect HIV at the initial stage.
If a pregnant woman is HIV positive, the possibility of infection transmitted to the fetus.
If he tests HIV positive, treatment is available which reduces the chances of HIV vertical transmission from infected mothers to newborns,” said a health department official.
The Ministry of Health has provided access to HIV testing services to all registered pregnant women for antenatal care along with the supply of ARV (antiretroviral) prophylaxis with a single dose of nevirapine during labor.
Officials say Mother to Children HIV transmission is the main route of transmission for HIV among children.
The transmission is known to occur during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding period with the same frequency.
It is estimated that without intervention, the risk of HIV transmission from an infected mother to her child is between 20% to 45%.