DATA BRIEFS: (continued) Antiretroviral trials Now there is some hope for reducing mother-to-child transmission in the developing world, as well. Last year, trials in Thailand of a short course of AZT (from the 36th week of pregnancy through labour) given to pregnant women with HIV proved successful in reducing transmission by about 50%. A more recent study found that a much shorter regimen — involving AZT and lamivudine (3TC) given during delivery and for one week after to both mother and child — reduced the chances of transmission by 37%. Following the Thai study, UNAIDS, and its co-sponsors UNICEF and WHO, announced a two-year pilot project aimed at reducing mother-to-child transmission, which will reach 30,000 women in 11 countries. Work is under way to establish facilities and expertise in all 11 countries, while treatment of HIV-positive mothers in Côte d'Ivoire and Thailand has already begun. But even more important in halting the virus's spread is access to facilities where women can learn their HIV status in confidential surroundings and be counselled about their fertility options and the feeding of their babies. Most, of course, do not have access to such voluntary and confidential testing and counseling, and many who are seropositive face discrimination or even violence. Also, many of the mothers who know they are HIV positive have no access to appropriate and safe breastmilk substitutes (see 'HIV and infant feeding').
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