Eliminating vertical transmission of HIV in São Paulo, Brazil: progress and challenges

BACKGROUND: HIV infection in children is an important public health problem in the world mainly in poorer countries. If all recommendations are followed the elimination of HIV vertical transmission is a concrete possibility. This study aims to estimate vertical transmission rates of HIV in Sao Paulo State Brazil based on pregnant women diagnosed and reported in 2006 identifying potentially associated factors. METHODS: This study involves a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of information systems and records of infected pregnant women and children exposed to HIV. The rate of vertical transmission was estimated and variables associated with the antenatal delivery and postnatal periods were analyzed by the chi-square test and Fisher exact test was used for variables with an expected frequency