Prevention of Mother to Child transmission of HIV
PMTCT of HIV is crucial for ensuring the well-being of both the mother and the child.
How can I prevent transmitting HIV to my child?
To prevent transmitting HIV to your baby, start by understanding your risk and learning how to minimize it. It’s crucial to get tested for HIV as early as possible to know your status, as early diagnosis and treatment significantly enhance the effectiveness of HIV medicine in preventing transmission to your baby. If engaged in behaviors that may increase your risk, consider retesting in the third trimester and encourage your partner to get tested as well. If you are at risk but do not have HIV, discuss the option of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with your healthcare provider, especially if you’re considering pregnancy. Taking medicine to prevent or treat HIV, maintaining a suppressed viral load, and using proper feeding practices after delivery can reduce the chances of transmitting HIV to your baby to less than 1%. If your partner has HIV, supporting them in getting and staying on treatment is crucial, as individuals with HIV who adhere to prescribed treatment and maintain an undetectable viral load do not transmit HIV to their partners.
How TASO does its?
TASO plays a pivotal role in preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV by offering a comprehensive set of services:
- Early Detection through Antenatal Care: TASO provides early and regular antenatal care services, ensuring timely HIV testing and counseling for pregnant women.
- Access to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART): TASO facilitates the initiation and continuation of ART during pregnancy, supporting HIV-positive mothers and reducing the risk of transmission to their infants.
- Viral Load Monitoring: TASO ensures regular monitoring of viral load levels in HIV-positive pregnant women, promoting viral suppression and minimizing transmission risks during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.
- Safe Delivery Practices: TASO emphasizes safe delivery practices, including the consideration of cesarean sections when necessary, to further reduce the risk of HIV transmission during childbirth.
- Infant Prophylaxis: TASO administers appropriate antiretroviral drugs to infants as part of a comprehensive infant prophylaxis strategy, preventing HIV transmission during the breastfeeding period.
- Counseling and Psychosocial Support: TASO provides comprehensive counseling and psychosocial support to HIV-positive pregnant women, empowering them to make informed decisions regarding their health and the well-being of their infants.
- Community Education and Awareness: TASO actively engages in community-based education programs, raising awareness about PMTCT, reducing stigma, and promoting early testing and adherence to prevention measures.