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1."I am very happy that my baby is HIV-negative"
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2.HIV/AIDS: Understanding PMTCT B+ -
3."People don’t want to disclose their status" -
4."You are either infected or affected" -
5."The treatment I have started is an important step in my life" -
6."It is feasible and effective" -
7."We can try to curb the epidemic"
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1."I am very happy that my baby is HIV-negative"
In February 2013, MSF in Swaziland began an approach called PMTCT B+ targeting HIV-positive pregnant and breastfeeding women. The objective was to prevent the transmission of HIV from mothers to their children and to keep these mothers healthy in a country where 40 per cent of pregnant women are HIV-positive.
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2.HIV/AIDS: Understanding Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (option B+)
Stopping the spread of HIV from mothers to their children is a first step to start curbing the epidemic. This animated infographic explains in detail the innovative approach called "Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission option B+" (PMTCT B+), which is being rolled out in Swaziland.
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3."People don’t want to disclose their status"
–– The challenge of getting people testedEncouraging pregnant women to get tested is often challenging for MSF teams because of perceptions in the community about HIV/AIDS.
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4."You are either infected or affected"
–– Community mobilisation workThe objective of community mobilisation is to motivate people to get tested and to explain the benefits of PMTCT B+. In order to do this, MSF has a large team working on patient support, education and counselling.
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5."The treatment I have started is an important step in my life"
–– PMTCT B+ through the patients' eyesIn Swaziland, because of the stigma attached to HIV, many HIV-positive patients are initially reluctant to publically disclose their status.
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6."It is feasible and effective"
–– PMTCT B+ in detailSince February 2013, Médecins Sans Frontières, in partnership with the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Swaziland, has been implementing PMTCT B+ in the region of Nhlangano. Over the next four years, more than 2,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women are expected to start life-long antiretroviral treatment.
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7."We can try to curb the epidemic"
–– Future perspectivesPMTCT B+ is the first step of a wider approach, in which HIV treatment will also have a preventive role in the transmission of the disease. The Minister of Health of the Kingdom of Swaziland and MSF Head of Mission talk about future perspectives.
