Resumen

In Africa, an alarming number of infants have already contracted HIV/AIDS through mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). Recognizing the severity of this problem, this paper is intended to summarize knowledge about MTCT and to provide guidance for introducing interventions to prevent MTCT in Africa. This paper may also be used for policy dialogue and coordination of efforts among other partner agencies and nongovernmental organizations at international, regional, and national levels. Section one presents an introduction, which further emphasizes the purpose of the paper; magnitude of the problem; mechanisms, timing, and risk factors; and HIV/AIDS among infants and children. The MTCT prevention components are discussed in section two, which include the prevention to care continuum; core interventions to prevent MTCT; primary prevention; and postnatal HIV care and support. Operational issues that deal with assessing the situation, planning through dialogue, monitoring and evaluation and policy issues are highlighted in section three. Finally, conclusions and recommendations are presented in chapter four. - See more at: http://www.popline.org/node/180718#sthash.nNJb6Gc4.dpuf