A number of strategies are used to reduce the risk of HIV infection among women of reproductive age. These include promotion of access to counselling and testing (the opt-out approach in line with PMTCT Guidelines) during encounters with pregnant women in the family planning services, antenatal clinic, antenatal ward, and other sites where they may receive medical services. Male involvement should be promoted.
It is also prudent that general information, education and communication (IEC/BCC) and other prevention interventions are employed to reduce HIV transmission in the general population.
Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (MTCT) can be achieved through:
Provision of prophylactic ARV to HIV infected pregnant women. See current MTCT guidelines for the appropriate regimen.
Provision of comprehensive antenatal care
Provision of appropriate obstetric care
Modification of infant feeding practices
The exclusive use of replacement feeding
Exclusive breast-feeding with safe and rapid transition to replacement feeding.