| Prevention of HIV transmission to Infants |
 More than ninety per cent of children under the age of 15 with HIV/AIDS contracted the virus through mother-to-child transmission.
Each year around the world, more than 800,000 children under 15 are infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Most of these children contract the disease from their mother during pregnancy, labour and delivery, or from breastfeeding. More than four and a half million children have already died of AIDS.
Although the virus is transmitted by the mother, HIV/AIDS prevention is the responsibility of both men and women. Many mothers unknowingly pass along the virus from their husbands to their newborn children.
Many people know nothing or very little about the Mother To Child Treatment programmes that can prevent babies contracting HIV. Men are even more marginalized and are not in a position to support their spouses, partners, and sisters in participating in the programmes.
Counselling is a major factor affecting women and their partners' choices regarding voluntary HIV testing and subsequent participation in the programmes.
Many men are gatekeepers of important information, finance and knowledge that can help their partners seek advice and support when pregnant. Find out if you can about voluntary testing for you and your partner, before pregnancy and during pregnancy!
Remember it's not about fault or blame - who did what when is irrelevant now. There is a new life on the way. So make sure that new life has the best start it can. You'll both appreciate that. |
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First draft of the AFI Training Manual on tackling abusive behaviour. Comments, additions, improvements welcome!
