Prevention of Maternal to Child HIV Transmission

In observance of International Women’s Day, March 8, 2009, GeoAid Cameroon sponsored an HIV testing campaign for pregnant women, their partners and other volunteers wanting to be tested. The testing campaign was done in collaboration with the Lomie District Health Office. Nurses trained in HIV counseling and testing offered on-site HIV pre and post counseling and testing at the salle de fete in Lomie during International Women’s Day activities.

There is little debate that HIV/AIDS is a major health issue in Lomie District. However, there is a lack of services within the health district to address the issue. GeoAid Cameroon has chosen HIV/AIDS awareness, education, counseling, testing and treatment as the primary focus of their health activities for 2009. The HIV testing during International Women’s Day celebration was their first activity. Preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV is an effective method to control the spread of HIV/AIDS.

GeoAid International, Executive Director, Bill Mitchell, the Vice Mayor of Lomie, Sorelle Mamoho and Micheline Ndjetoh, GeoAid Cameroon Program Leader presented information about the testing campaign and GeoAid Cameroon activities in a session at the International Women’s Day program. Throughout the day, the vice mayor and Micheline led people waiting to be tested in women’s day songs. GeoAid Cameroon staff transported people, others walked or arrived at the testing site on motorcycles. Local Baka men and women provided drumming. At the end of the day, 183 persons were tested. Results from the testing are still being analyzed.

Confidentiality in HIV testing is very important in a small community like Lomie. GeoAid Cameroon used an outside consultant, Professor Aubin Olock, from the Ministry of Health in Yaounde, to oversee the testing. The nurses all handled themselves professionally in conducting the counseling and testing.

Worldwide about 800,000 children a year get HIV infection from their mothers, either during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. In Cameroon, it is estimated that 10% of pregnant women test positive for HIV.  Mother-to-child transmission of HIV is not inevitable. Without interventions, there is a 20-45% chance that a HIV-positive mother will pass infection on to her child. If a woman is supplied with antiretroviral drugs, during labor and her infant treated immediately following birth, this risk can be reduced significantly. Before these measures can be taken the mother must be aware of her HIV-positive status, so testing also plays a vital role in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission.

Lomie Health District nurses and GeoAid Cameroon staff worked tirelessly throughout the day of the testing campaign. Prior to International Women’s Day, the local women’s associations had been promoting the HIV testing campaign and delivering the message that mother-to-child transmission of HIV is preventable, to protect your unborn children from HIV and to protect yourself by knowing your HIV status. Banners were hung in Lomie promoting HIV testing. T-shirts with the campaign motto, “Take the Test, Protect Your Unborn Child” were distributed to those who were tested. HIV educational brochures and condoms were donated by GTZ, a German NGO, were also provided.

Two other sites in Lomie Health District will also participate in the HIV testing campaign. Messok Health Center will offer HIV testing during their antenatal clinic and Zoulabot I Health Center will have a  testing campaign for pregnant women as well. The actual HIV prevalence rate in Lomie Health District is not known as testing has been available only in a limited capacity. This round of HIV testing will give a rough estimate of the HIV prevalence rate in the district. Additional HIV awareness events are planned throughout 2009 by GeoAid Cameroon. Data collected during these events will help support the request to the Ministry of Health for an HIV/AIDS treatment center. The closest treatment center from Lomie District is 6 hours away in Bertoua. Due to the long distances and impoverished population, treatment becomes difficult. Facilitating treatment options in Lomie District will also be part of the GeoAid Cameroon focus on health.