PMTCT

Prevention of mother to child transmission program is comprehensive program that integrates a number of interventions under HIV and AIDS care. One of the guidelines requires that HIV positive pregnant women be initiated on ART at an earlier CD4 count of 350 cells to improve drug effectiveness. With this move, more and intense psychosocial support is required as data from several settings indicate that such clinically well patients are at a higher risk for default than other patients starting ART. The program promotes male involvement in PMTCT, couples counseling, and Prevention with Positives within the PMTCT setting increasing early and repeated antenatal care attendance and also delivery in hospitals, male attendance at ANC and partner testing, and also address broader male norms and issues such as prevention of domestic violence and stigma against PLHIV.

Prevention

The program disseminates prevention messages by utilizing the Interpersonal Communications (IPC) approach. IPC outreach activities take place when trained communicators informally engage members of the community in discussion and dialogue about specific messages like HIV prevention, HTC, PMTCT and other different messages. Rather than being formal sessions that happen on a regular basis and involve the same group of people, IPC outreach activities can take place at different times and places in the community. Equally, where informal groups exist within the community, IPC activities can be undertaken with these groups, as appropriate. Delivery of interpersonal communications (IPC) activities is done in order to promote adoption of safer sexual practices and other practices that help in preventing the spread of HIV. These messages are disseminated using one on one and small group discussion.

NACC HIV Programs

PMTCT

Prevention