All mothers attending the ANC at Umkhumbane clinic are routinely pre-counselled and tested for HIV infection
after an informed consent is obtained. HIV-positive mothers were referred to the on site MTCT Plus programme, an
internationally funded programme that provided PMTCT services as well as comprehensive care and treatment for
HIV-infected mothers and their families. Those mothers not eligible for ART (antiretroviral therapy) as per 2006
national guidelines [29] were assessed for study eligibility and seen by the study counsellors who discussed the study
with them. Mothers who were interested were then seen at their next routine ANC visit and enrolled after an informed
consent was obtained. All mothers received single dose Nevirapine (sd NVP) for PMTCT prophylaxis to be taken at
the onset of labour. Those presenting earlier to the ANC received prophylaxis with Combivir from 36 weeks of
gestation continued to 1 week post delivery (from MTCTPlus programme) in addition to the sd NVP. All babies
received sd NVP within 72 h of delivery.