THE PREVENTION OF MOTHER TO CHILD TRANSMISSION of HIV (PMTCT)

What is PMTCT? The transmission of HIV from an HIV-positive mother to her child during pregnancy, labor, delivery or breastfeeding is called mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). WHO 2011

Why is PMTCT so important? Without any interventions the transmission rate of HIV from mothers to their children ranges from 15-45%. This rate can be reduced to levels below 5% with effective interventions. The global community is committed to eliminating new pediatric HIV infections by 2015 and, as a consequence, improving maternal, newborn and child survival and health.

It has a Triple Life Saving Benefit Effective PMTC Saves the mother’s life Saves the baby’s life And so it saves the family’s life

Who is involved with affected communities? International and local partners are working together Governments WHO UNAIDS UNICEF PEPFAR USAID Faith-based organizations Non Governmental Organizations Just Save One UMGAF is raising funds for grassroots community interventions through the ‘Just Save One’ campaign. The cost of therapies that can prevent transmission are $10! This initiative saves lives, one mother, baby and family at a time…

The benefit & challenge THE BENEFIT PMTCT is high impact, cost effective and usually part of an integrated service, i.e. women and children may attend a clinic for multiple services, including HIV testing and treatment. THE CHALLENGE To gain the support of the community to work with the women and their families.

How can we be smart with our PMTCT grants? Through stand alone and integrated projects where people work together to, for example -- 1.Overcome stigma and share resources. 2. Prevent HIV infection in women of child-bearing age. 3. Prevent unintended pregnancies among women living with HIV. 4. Prevent MTCT through early diagnosis and treatment. 5. Provide ongoing care for women living with HIV, their children and families.

1. Working together to overcome STIGMA & share RESOURCES The Community Social, spiritual and economic capital Services (Govt & Private) Policy makers, health professionals, community Health workers Everyone interacts somewhere Teachers, drivers, shop keepers, farmers, children…can all be involved

2. Prevent HIV infection in women of child-bearing age. NEW IDEAS ARE OFTEN “CULTURE BUSTERS” Harmful cultural practices can be barriers to effectively implementing AIDS programs….here are some ways to counter those practices: AIDS Education at church, school and in the home Stories and music on the radio and TV Good information that is available & appropriate People a girl/woman can talk to without fear Confidential HIV Counselling and Testing

3. Prevent unintended pregnancies among women living with HIV WOMEN JUST DON’T KNOW… HIV Counselling and testing: so many people don’t know that they’re infected. Fear of rejection: people dread stigma. Accessible, affordable, acceptable family planning services.

4. PMTCT through early diagnosis and treatment. Comprehensive integrated Prenatal Care (PNC) that includes HIV counselling and testing. If positive, treatment starts at 14 weeks or as soon after that as possible. Treatment is more than medication: nutrition, care of infections, a place to stay, social acceptance…

5. Ongoing care for women living with HIV, their children and families. Mother: ongoing treatment, nutritional support, breastfeeding, family planning… Baby: treatment, breastfeeding, weaning food, growth monitoring, vaccines… Father and children: Voluntary counselling, testing and treatment Community support

For interest: HIV and Infant feeding In many countries, health services and mothers have faced a dilemma, either to Give babies all the benefits of breastfeeding but expose them to the risk of HIV infection, or Avoid all breastfeeding and increasing the risk of death from diarrhea and malnutrition. Where authorities recommend HIV+ mothers to breastfeed and take ARVs, mothers should Exclusively breastfeed for the infant’s first 6 months Start to introduce complementary foods And continue to breastfeed until the child is 12 months old

For interest: How do HIV medicines prevent MTCT of HIV? Women with HIV take ARVs during pregnancy and childbirth to reduce their viral load. This reduces the risk of transmission of HIV and protects mothers’ health. The medication passes from the pregnant woman to her unborn child across the placenta. This transfer protects the baby from HIV especially during a vaginal delivery when there is exposure to the mother’s blood or other fluids. In some situations, a woman with HIV may have a C-section to reduce the risk further. Babies born to women with HIV receive HIV medicines to reduce the risk of infection that may have entered a baby’s body during childbirth and to allow breastfeeding.