Prophylaxis of vertical HIV transmission: a literature review

Abstract

AIDS cases are currently characterized by feminization process, with an increasing tendency of infection in women in the reproductive period, causing the number of children infected by VT to increase. Studies have shown that about 70% of pregnant women do not use ART correctly, increasing the risk of HIV-VT. The objective of this research was to understand the reasons why pregnant women fail to adhere to the ART, defining the necessary measures in order to decrease the rates of HIV-TV, according to the Brazilian scientific literature. A narrative descriptive literature review with qualitative, longitudinal design was then performed, based on a literature review research that used as databases the United States National Library of Medicine (PubMed / Medline), Electronic Library Online (SciELO) and CAPES / MEC Journals Portal and official websites, such as the Ministry of Health with publications from 2015 to 2019. Given this, even with the scientific advances on HIV, many infected pregnant women are unaware of their serological status. That being said, it is important that everybody do the ART testing and use it, not suspending after childbirth, because continuing treatment results in a decrease in HIV-VT. The training of health professionals is very important, since the needy population is the most affected by the virus and health care services are essential to control it.