Shifting to the long view: engagement of pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV in lifelong antiretroviral therapy services.

Shifting to the long view: engagement of pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV in lifelong antiretroviral therapy services. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2019 Apr 12;: Authors: Phillips TK, Myer L Abstract INTRODUCTION: The advent of policies promoting lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV has shifted focus from short-term prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) to lifelong engagement in ART services. However, disengagement from care threatens the long-term treatment and prevention benefits of lifelong ART. Areas covered: A framework for considering the unique aspects of ART for pregnant and postpartum women is presented along with a review of the literature on maternal engagement in care in sub Saharan Africa and a discussion of potential interventions to sustain engagement in lifelong ART. Expert opinion: Engaging women and mothers in ART services for life is critical for maternal health, PMTCT and prevention of sexual transmission. Evidence-based interventions exist to support engagement in care but most focus on periods of mother-to-child transmission risk. In the long term, life transitions and healthcare transfers are inevitable. Thus, interventions that can reach beyond a single facility or provide a bridge between health services should be prioritized. Multicomponent interventions will also be essential to address the numerous intersecting barriers to sus...
Source: Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy - Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther Source Type: research