Epidemiology of HIV Vertical Transmission

Abstract

More than 30 years after the identification of the first cases of AIDS, numerous advancements have occurred involving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of it. Despite all the advances and reduction of new cases in the world, Brazil maintains the persistent increase in the number of HIV infection and deaths. In this sense, the risk of perinatal infection also remains. Vertical transmission of HIV is a complex multifactorial process. The therapeutic and biomedical advances have not been sufficient to create a generation of children free of HIV. Thus, it is necessary to face other difficulties related to transmission of the virus, such as hunger, poverty, poor education, lack of access to health services and, in the existence of these, the quality of services provided. At the same time, so that the AIDS surveillance continue identifying the changes of HIV transmission patterns, it is necessary to improve the quality of information; build, understand and evaluate indicators; appropriately allocate resources, plan and monitor the impact of interventions.