AEGiS-15IAC: The challenges in prevention of mother to child transmission of STDs/STIs and HIV in Zambia.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

The challenges in prevention of mother to child transmission of STDs/STIs and HIV in Zambia.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. C10037)

Mwale M
University, Kitwe, Zambia

ISSUE: Although the Ministry of health in Zambia has through the formation of prevention programs, dialogue and advocacy for testing of antenatal mothers, 40% of babies born from HIV+ve mothers have the infection.

DESCRIPTION: The peak of the HIV infection among women is 20-29 years which is within the child bearing age. Antenatal care utilisation in Zambia is not more than 90% of pregnant womenNot all antenatal care centers are able to test for HIV. There are not enough trained psychosocio counsellors to counsel the mothers before testing. Not all HIV+ve women can afford artificial feeding. Men are still not very supportive to their partners during the antenatal period. Use of Family Planning/Contraception in quite, it is about 45% utilisationAntiretroviral drugs are still very expensive for most people in Zambia. Not all pregnant women deliver in a health institution.

LESSONS LEARNT: Empowering women with information and finacially, but also involving men in PMTCT would help reduce the number of babies being infected.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Equip all health workers with information on PMTCTMake available testing facilitiesProvider cheaper ARVs or the government can subsidise for those who need them but cannot afford.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, HIV Infections, Mothers, Counseling, Prenatal Care, Zambia, Health, Child, Humans, Female, Male, Infant, Pregnancy, transmission, prevention & control

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C10037