Summary of Study Session 27

In Study Session 27, you have learned that:

1. PMTCT is one of the key strategies to prevent the transmission of HIV.
2. PMTCT significantly reduces the risk if HIV transmission from mothers to their infants and helps establish a link to other HIV-related comprehensive services.
3. Community mobilisation to increase attendance of pregnant women for antenatal care and institutional delivery increases the coverage of PMTCT services in Ethiopia.
4. HIV testing and counselling services using the ‘opt out’ approach are provided routinely to pregnant mothers as an entry point for HIV care.
5. There are three ARV options for PMTCT, but the most widely used at community level is the single-dose Nevirapine regimen.
6. When the AFASS criteria for replacement feeding are not met, then exclusive breastfeeding is the nationally recommended strategy for HIV-positive mothers in Ethiopia. Ideally, HIV-positive mothers should not breastfeed their babies if a replacement feeding option is available.
7. 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.