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Abstract Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a leading cause of death and disease burden. Following this, vertical transmission is the main source of HIV infection on children globally. Morbidity and mortality among HIV-exposed infants are still the main health challenges in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HIV1infection and its associated factors among exposed infants at Shegaw Motta General Hospital, Ethiopia. Methods Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on exposed infants at Shegaw Motta General Hospital from September 1, 2022 to July 30, 2023. The consecutive convenience sampling technique was used to select study participants. Whole blood sample was collected from mothers and infants. Laboratory tests like early infant diagnosis, cluster of differentiation 4 counts and viral load were performed using standard operating procedure. Then, the data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed by SPSS version 20. Finally, bivariable and multivariable logistic regressions were carried out to identify factors significantly associated ( P <0.05). Results Out of 155 infants, about 79(50.9%) infants were females and87(56.1%) was urban resident. Furthermore, majority of infants were born from mothers who could not able to write and read 88(56.8%) and maternal ages range from 25-34years were 138(89.0%). The overall prevalence of HIV1 infection among exposed infants was6(3.87%) with (95%CI: 2.9-8.2). Pregnant women had not antennal care (AOR=7.281, P = 0.001), home delivery (AOR= 3.239, P =0.001), maternal not received antiretroviral prophylaxis (AOR = 9.213, P = 0.001), infants not intake nevirapine prophylaxis (AOR=2.560, P = 0.007) and maternal high viral load (AOR= 5.120, P = 0.004) were the factors associated with HIV infection among exposed infants. Conclusion The HIV1 infection among exposed infants was still high (3.87%). Pregnant women had not antenatal care follow up, home delivery, maternal high viral load, and not receiving antiretroviral prophylaxis, infant not intake nevirapine prophylaxis increases the risk of HIV1 infection. Therefore, health facilities should strictly strengthen the PMTCT service by providing maternal antiretroviral prophylaxis, infant nevirapine prophylaxis, promoting antenatal care service, early screening maternal viral load and scale up skilled delivery to eliminate HIV infection among exposed infants.
Nigusie et al. (Mon,) studied this question.