[Assessment of a programme of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Abidjan, Ivory Coast (1999-20002)].

The purpose of this article is to report the results of a programme for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMCT) of HIV conducted from 1999 to 2002 by the PNLS in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. This programme was supported by grants from the Fonds de solidarité international (FSTI) and the Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK) Foundation. After pre- and posttest counselling, pregnant women from 4 PMI centres underwent screening for HIV. Seropositive women were offered short course AZT and the possibility of financial assistance for breast-feeding. All programme activities were carried out in close cooperation with association members. A total of 22466 tests were given and 18116 women returned for results. Among the 1829 seropositive women to whom PMCT intervention was proposed, 667 received short course AZT. The rate of transmission at 18 months was 162%. In addition 69 mothers and 28 children eligible for ARV therapy benefited from tritherapy. Limiting factors, at each phase, and efficacy of intervention were analyzed.