Dealing with tests and treatments for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B infection to prevent mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) from a tertiary hospital in Indonesia

Background: Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), syphilis, and Hepatitis B can cause a health burden and lead to morbidity and mortality in children. An attempt to eliminate the transmission has been made worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the triple elimination of MTCT for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B in a tertiary hospital in Indonesia. Methods: We evaluated 690 medical records of new pregnant women seeking antenatal care (ANC) in a tertiary hospital in the east part of Indonesia from January to December 2018. Results: HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B testing were performed on 97 patients (14.1%). HIV and hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis, and syphilis and hepatitis B testing were performed on 149 (21.6%), 6 (0.9%), and 6 (0.9%) patients, respectively. The prevalence of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B was 4.2%, 0.4%, and 3.8%, respectively. HIV treatment by administering antiretroviral therapy (ART) was done in 86.2% of patients. Injection of benzathine penicillin G as the treatment of syphilis was done in 66.7% of syphilis patients. HBV DNA examination followed by tenofovir administration was done in 3.8% of hepatitis B patients. Conclusion: The testing rate of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B in pregnant women in a tertiary hospital in the east part of Indonesia in 2018 (14.1%) was below the target set by World Health Organization (≥ 95%). Increasing access to antenatal screening as early detection is the key to preventing mother-to-child transmission (MTCT).