2019-2023 trends in indicators for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Cameroon: reflections for the path to elimination by 2030

Background Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) remains a priority in Cameroon for achieving HIV elimination, despite the implementation of priority interventions aimed at improving PMTCT indicators. Objective This study aimed to analyse trends in HIV PMTCT indicators in Cameroon between 2019 and 2023. Methods A retrospective study was conducted from 2019 to 2023 across ten regions of Cameroon (Adamawa, East, Far North, Center, Littoral, North, Northwest, Southwest, and South). The study population included pregnant women and HIV-exposed infants. A standardized form was designed and used to extract PMTCT indicators from the Annual Reports of the National AIDS Control Committee (NACC). Data were processed and analysed using Excel and R version 4. Results Between 2019 and 2023, key indicators of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) program in Cameroon showed significant progress. Antenatal care (ANC) coverage increased from 80.3% in 2019 to 87.6% in 2021 before declining to 81.2% in 2023 (p < 0.001). HIV testing rates rose steadily from 87.3% to 97.9% in 2022, slightly decreasing thereafter (p < 0.001), while HIV positivity rates declined from 3.6% to 2.2% (p < 0.001). ARV coverage among women improved from 86.5% to 93.7% (p < 0.001), and nevirapine coverage among HIV-exposed infants increased from 86.9% to 95.1% (p < 0.001). Early infant diagnosis (PCR testing) showed high uptake, reaching 99.7% in 2023 (p < 0.001). HIV positivity among infants decreased from 4.7% to 3.3% (p < 0.001), while ARV coverage in HIV-positive infants rose markedly from 55.2% in 2019 to over 82% from 2020 onward (p < 0.001). Overall, the PMTCT program achieved remarkable improvements in service coverage and reductions in HIV positivity, despite fluctuations in ANC uptake. Conclusion The analysis of PMTCT indicators in Cameroon from 2019 to 2023 shows overall improvement, though regional disparities persist and some national targets remain unmet. Strengthening strategies to increase service uptake is essential to further reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission.