Challenge
In Kenya alone, 22,000 babies are infected with HIV every year during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. By taking a regimen of strong antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), pregnant women can greatly reduce the chance that they will transmit HIV to their children.
Description
Local health workers provided HIV-positive mothers with plain paper bags filled with pre-measured drugs and instructions on how to take the medicines during and after pregnancy. The project also includes programs to increase hospital deliveries and empower HIV-positive women to deal with stigma and discrimination.
Outcomes
Reduction in mother-to-child HIV transmission, increased hospital deliveries, empowerment of HIV-positive women.
