The impact of expanded access to antiretroviral treatment on engagement in HIV care and viral suppression among pregnant women living with HIV in South Africa
We observed increased engagement in HIV care prior to pregnancy after implementation of policies that expanded access to ART. However, high prevalence of unsuppressed viral load across all policy eras highlights the need for continued monitoring and support to sustain the benefits of this policy. Pregnancy and antenatal care services remain an essential portal of entry to HIV care among PWLH in South Africa. Interventions to improve early ANC attendance and maternal engagement in HIV care prior to pregnancy are critical to eliminate vertical HIV transmission.
Authors
- Nelly Jinga (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6010-2867)
- Kate Clouse (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0190-7398)
- Cornelius Nattey (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8272-9529)
- Laura Rossouw (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7697-9567)
- Maanda Mudau
- Thalia Ferreira Brizido (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2058-1390)
- Amy Wise
- Nicola van Dongen
Institutions
- University of the Witwatersrand (ZA)
- Vanderbilt University (US)
- Health Systems Trust (ZA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- PLoS ONE
- Published
- 2026-01-30
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0314182
- Primary Topic
- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Institutes of Health
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development