Debjit Chakraborty
ICMR- NICED, India
Title: A journey from maternal HIV to adolescent HIV-Life cycle approach
Biography
Biography: Debjit Chakraborty
Abstract
Statement of the Problem: India is committed to Elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV through achieveing the target of 95 -95 -95.ANC HIV testing and inititation of ART is still a challenge along with emergence of Adolescent HIV who are getting pregnant to complete the life cycle.
Findings: In India still 66% of estimated pregnant women know their HIV status and 61% were alive on ART. Two third of the new adolescent HIV infections are among adolescent girls. Vulnerability in adolescence is further enhanced due to HIV. Eight percent Women age 15-19 years who were already mothers or pregnant at the time of the survey (%) and Adolescent age group comprised of 12% new HIV infection.
Conclusion & Significance: The ambit of the PPTCT program needs to be expanded to encompass the life cycle of a woman from adolescent age group to pregnancy and child birth. Cascade of intervention needs to be introduced in a culturally acceptable and affordable manner to prevent adolescent HIV as well as teenage pregnancy which will ultimately contribute to the global goal of EMTCT and elimination of pediatric HIV.