Summary

In this study session, you have learned that:

• PMTCT is one of the key strategies to prevent the transmission of HIV.
• PMTCT significantly reduces the risk if HIV transmission from mothers to their infants and helps establish a link to other HIV-related comprehensive services.
• Community mobilisation to increase attendance of pregnant women for antenatal care and institutional delivery increases the coverage of PMTCT services.
• HIV testing and counselling services using the ‘opt out’ approach are provided routinely to pregnant mothers as an entry point for HIV care.
• There are three ARV options for PMTCT, but the most widely used at community level is the single-dose Nevirapine regimen.
• When the AFASS criteria for replacement feeding are not met, then exclusive breastfeeding is the recommended strategy for HIV-positive mothers. Ideally, HIV-positive mothers should not breastfeed their babies if a replacement feeding option is available.
• The interventions implemented by the FMOH for PTMCT target four components: prevention of new HIV infections, prevention of unwanted pregnancies in HIV-infected women, the use of different ARV drug regimens for PMTCT, and care and support services for HIV-positive mothers and their families.