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WHO validates elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis in Cuba
In 2014, WHO and key partners published Guidance on global processes and criteria for validation of elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, which outlines the validation process and the different indicators countries need to meet.As treatment for prevention of mother-to-child-transmission is not 100% effective, elimination of transmission is defined as a reduction of transmission to such a low level that it no longer constitutes a public health problem.
Note to editors:
Required validation indicators include:
HIV
Impact Indicators – must be met for at least 1 year
- New paediatric HIV infections due MTCT of HIV are less than 50 cases per 100 000 live births; and
- MTCT rate of HIV to less than 5% in breastfeeding populations or less than 2% in non-breastfeeding populations
Process Indicators – must be met for at least 2 years • More than 95% of pregnant women, both who know and do not know their HIV status, received at least one antenatal visit • More than 95% of pregnant women know their HIV status • More than 95% of HIV-positive pregnant women receive antiretroviral drugs
Syphilis
Impact Indicators – must be met for at least 1 year
- Rate of MTCT syphilis are less than 50 cases per 100 000 live births
Process Indicators – must be met for at least 2 years
- More than 95% of pregnant women received at least one antenatal visit
- More than 95% of pregnant women are tested for syphilis
-More than 95% of pregnant women with syphilis receive treatment.
The term “validation” is used to attest that a country has successfully met criteria (internationally set targets for validation) for eliminating MTCT of HIV and/or syphilis at a specific point in time, but countries are required to maintain ongoing programmes.
In 2013, only two babies were born with HIV in Cuba, and only 3 babies were born with congenital syphilis. 30 JUNE 2015 Cuba today became the first country in the world to receive validation from WHO that it has eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis.
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