An Evaluation of Prevention of the Mother-to-Child Transmission Program in Murewa District, 2021

Background: Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) program includes a cascade of services given to prevent mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV in-utero, during delivery and during breastfeeding. Zimbabwe has made tremendous progress in increasing coverage of PMTCT services and reducing MTCT rate. COVID-19 has negatively impacted HIV programs. Murewa was among the districts with the most COVID-19 cases. We evaluated the PMTCT program in Murewa District in the face of COVID-19 challenges. Methods: We assessed inputs, processes, outputs and outcomes of the PMTCT program using the logic model approach. We collected data using interviewer-administered questionnaire, records review, and a checklist to assess availability of inputs, processes carried out and outputs realized from the program. We randomly selected health workers and program recipients. We used Epi info 7 to compute frequencies, means and proportions. Results: Murewa District had 58 health workers in post against an establishment of 92. Seven out of 16 facilities reported having HIV test-kit stockout. Only 4/16 were conducting postnatal clinics. No PMTCT training were conducted. Only 1872/5693 (33%) of HIV consumables including HIV test kits and CD4 count reagents were procured. The reasons reported for low PMTCT coverage in Murewa were fear of contracting COVID-19 at health facilities 33/43 (77%), lack of bus fare 28/43 (65%) and unavailability of medical consumables 26/43 (60%). Conclusion: The PMTCT program in Murewa District failed to meet targets for inputs, processes, and outputs worsened by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The reasons for low PMTCT coverage in Murewa District were reported to be due to fear of contracting COVID-19, unavailability of medical consumables and COVID-19 travelling restrictions. We recommended development of guidelines on provision of PMTCT services amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We gave health education to program recipients on the importance to access PMTCT services even amid public health emergencies like COVID-19.