OBJECTIVES: to analyze the adherence to prophylactic measures implemented in pregnant women for reduction of vertical HIV transmission in this reference maternity in the city of Fortaleza, State of Ceará, Brazil. METHODS: cross sectional study, with descriptive and analytical components. Included were all of the pregnant HIV infected women that attended the maternity during January 2000 to August 2004. RESULTS: one hundred and ten pregnant HIV infected women were studied and 102 (92.7%) informed to have frequented prenatal service. Sixty three of them (57.3%) were informed about their serological status during prenatal, 39 (35.5%) knew they had Aids before becoming pregnant. It was identified a high percentage of interventions for reduction of HIV vertical transmission, not having statistically difference among women that knew of their serological status the ones that didn't. It is needed to be emphasized that in 86 (78.1%) cases the adherence to these interventions was considered completed. CONCLUSIONS: the high adherence to conducts for reducing vertical HIV transmission observed in this study reveals the viability of the application of those actions in Fortaleza, nonetheless the specific conditions in this reference hospital doesn't apply to all situations in other services in Fortaleza.
Vertical transmission; Human immunodeficiency virus; Maternal and child health
