Objective To analyze the causes and factors associated with for mother to child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus （HIV） in Yunnan province.

Methods The newly reported HIV infected children aged 0-3 years during 2016−2022 in Yunnan province were selected through the comprehensive AIDS prevention and control information system, and the basic information of infected children and their parents and the information about maternal health care services during pregnancy and childbirth, and prevention of mother to child transmission services were collected by using the Case Questionnaire of Children with HIV Infection from Mother to Child Transmission. Meanwhile, HIV exposed children in whom mother to child transmission of HIV were successfully blocked were selected through the prevention of mother to child transmission management information system for case control study. Univariate analysis was performed by using χ² test and multivariate analysis was performed by using logistic regression model.

Results From 2016 to 2022, a total of 144 children aged 0-3 years old in Yunnan province were reported to have been infected with HIV through mother to child transmission. 52.77% of the children's fathers were infected, 37.50% of the children's mothers did not receive HIV testing during pregnancy, 53.47% of the children's mothers were diagnosed with HIV infection during and after childbirth, 81.94% of the children's mothers did not receive antiviral treatment, 53.47% of the children did not receive preventive treatment, and 64.58% of the children were breastfed. Univariate analysis showed that the risk factors aossociated with mother to child transmission of HIV included receiving no prenatal care, HIV testing and antiviral treatment or late diagnosis of HIV infection in mothers and receiving no preventive treatment, safe birth care and artificial feeding in children. Multivariate analysis showed that receiving prenatal care in mothers odds ratio (OR)=0.08, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.01-0.67, antiviral treatment in mothers (OR=0.01, 95% CI: 0.00-0.08), and receiving preventive treatment (OR =0.03, 95% CI: 0.00-0.65) and artificial feeding (OR =0.02, 95% CI: 0.00-0.17) in children were the protective factors against infection, and artificial membrane rupture surgery was a risk factor for the infection (OR =19.69, 95% CI: 2.68-144.45).

Conclusion It is necessary to implement early HIV testing, diagnosis, and treatment for pregnant and postpartum women, continue spouse testing, single positive family follow-up, health management for childbearing age women infected with HIV, increase the coverage of antiviral treatment for HIV infected pregnant women in early pregnancy to reduce the incidence of mother to child transmission of HIV.