Bulletin of the World Health Organization

Early infant diagnosis of HIV infection in Zambia through mobile phone texting of blood test results

Phil Seidenberg, Stephen Nicholson, Merrick Schaefer, Katherine Semrau, Maximillian Bweupe, Noel Masese, Rachael Bonawitz, Lastone Chitembo, Caitlin Goggin & Donald M Thea

Volume 90, Number 5, May 2012, 348-356

Table 1. Baseline characteristics of 10 health facilities in study of early diagnosis of HIV infection in infants through mobile phone texting of test results, Southern Province, Zambia, 2009

Facility District Area Catchment population Km from facility to lab/hub Main sample transport to lab/hub Road type Frequency of sample transport to lab/hub Mobile phone network provider HIV
Prevalence (%)a Exposureb
Monre urban Monze Urban/periurban 17 962 0.5 Walking Graded gravel Weekly Zain 12.5 191.16
Manungu Monze Urban/ periurban 16 511 2.5 Walking Tarmac Weekly Zain 21.2 173.27
Keemba RCHC Monze Rural 14 827 30 Motorbike Ungraded gravel Weekly MTN 10.1 74.13
Luyaba Monze Rural 9 530 22 Public transport Ungraded gravel Weekly Zain 22.4 105.67
Rusangu RCHC Monze Urban/periurban 8 678 15 Motorbike Ungraded gravel Weekly Zain 10.4 44.67
Nakambala urban Mazabuka Urban/periurban 36 697 2 Public transport Ungraded gravel Twice monthly MTN and Zain 23.0 417.80
Mazabuka HAHC Mazabuka Urban/periurban 10 895 5 Walking Tarmac Weekly MTN and Zain 18.0 97.07
Mbaya Mazabuka Rural 12 299 70 Vehicle Ungraded gravel Weekly MTN and Zain 22.6 137.59
Nameembo RCHC Mazabuka Rural 8 009 65 Motorbike Ungraded gravel As needed MTN and Zain 17.6 69.77
Nega Nega Mazabuka Rural 4 902 37 Motorbike Graded gravel Weekly MTN and Zain 19.7 47.80

HAHC, hospital-affiliated health centre; RCHC, reproductive and child health clinic.

a Prevalence of HIV infection among women attending antenatal clinics as collected from each facility and reported to the Zambian Health Management Information System.

b Exposed liveborns per year (expected value).