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Article History

Received: 10 March 2025

Accepted: 6 March 2026

First Online: 20 March 2026

Declarations

:

: Ethical approval was obtained from the South-Kivu national health ethics committee under reference (CNES001/DPSK/177/2015) in the city of Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. A letter requesting support was sent to the health facility selected for this study in order to obtain the necessary authorisations for the research. In addition, after explaining the purpose of the study and the importance of their participation, the participants agreed to take part in the study. Written informed consent was obtained for both the interview and access to records. and access to records, and those who agreed to participate were included in the study. Participants were not remunerated for their participation, nor were they penalised for failure, as all received the necessary interventions regardless of their participation in the study. The study did not use any invasive procedures; the data being extracted from the records and from the interview with the mother. Confidentiality of information was maintained throughout the study process and later health professionals to whom the mothers had already disclosed their HIV status collected the data. Participants’ privacy was protected by interviewing them in a separate room.

: Not applicable.

: The authors declare no competing interests.