PMTCT Acceleration Project Quarterly Report July-September 2014

The project aims to scale-up rapidly and effectively Prevention of Mother-To-Child HIV Transmission (PMTCT) services in the targeted provinces. The objectives of the project are to prevent HIV among women of childbearing age, prevent unwanted pregnancies among HIV-positive women, prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission, and provide care and support to HIV-positive women, their infants, and families. The project is implemented through 22 partners, including 16 government entities and 6 civil society organizations. As of September 2014, all 190 service outlets supported by the project offered HIV testing services, with 21 outlets in Bujumbura, 52 in Bujumbura Rural, 61 in Gitega, and 56 in Ngozi. Among 30,129 pregnant women who attended the first antenatal care (ANC) visits, 27,245 (90.4%) were tested for HIV, and 27,056 (89.8% of ANC attendees and 99.3% of those tested) received their test results. The total number of HIV-positive pregnant women is 446, with 271 pregnant women testing positive and 175 knowing their HIV-positive status prior to the current pregnancy. The percentage of pregnant women knowing their HIV status is 92.2% (37,835/41,047). The HIV Testing and Counseling component targets the general population, including pregnant women and exposed-infants. During this quarter, 85,638 individuals were tested for HIV, with 84,162 (98.3%) receiving their test results. The HIV positivity percentage among those tested is 1.7% (1,467/85,638), with 2.0% for males (404/20,419) and 1.6% for females (1,063/65,219). Those who tested HIV-positive were referred to clinical care services for cotrimoxazole/ARVs-eligibility assessment and care. Sexual partners of pregnant women were also encouraged to be tested for HIV, with 970 male partners tested for HIV within this quarter. Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) was provided in 53 supported ART service delivery points, with 201 individuals (100 males and 101 females) receiving post-exposure prophylaxis within the reporting period. Community interventions reached different categories of individuals, including 31,359 individuals of childbearing age sensitized on HIV/STIs, 10,232 individuals sensitized on the importance of early ANC, 13,127 individuals sensitized on Family Planning, and 9,048 individuals sensitized on PMTCT. Community health workers referred 1,919 females of childbearing age for HTC and 206 for PMTCT services. The project also provided care and support to HIV-positive women, their infants, and families, with 446 HIV-positive pregnant women identified and referred to clinical care services. The project's achievements demonstrate progress towards its objectives, with a focus on scaling-up PMTCT services in the targeted provinces.