HIV is the leading cause of death for women of reproductive age worldwide and a major contributor to infant mortality. PMTCT strategies reduce the risk of mother-to-infant transmission from nearly 40 percent to under 5 percent. PMTCT is a gateway for HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support services for the whole family.
AIDSTAR-One, a leading resource network in PMTCT programming for USAID and other agencies, provides global technical leadership and facilitates knowledge sharing.
AIDSTAR-One has compiled national PMTCT guidelines from over ten countries in Africa and Asia designed to assist health care providers implement effective PMTCT programs and activities. The database can be sorted for easy comparison of policies in various countries.
Services provided during pregnancy. Click on the graphic to learn more.
Services provided during labor and delivery. Click on the graphic to learn more.
Services provided to mother, child and family following birth. Click on the graphic to learn more.
The Four-Pronged Approach to PMTCT Strategy is a program model developed by the U.N. in 2001. AIDSTAR-One and other global players in PMTCT recognize the effectiveness of this comprehensive strategy, now implemented worldwide.
Each of the four “prongs” represents a stage at which program services work to 1) prevent HIV in women of reproductive age, 2) prevent unintended pregnancy in women with HIV, 3) prevent HIV transmission from mother to child, and 4) provide ongoing care and support to mothers, their children, and families.
Within the third stage—preventing HIV transmission from mother to child—the PMTCT Continuum of Care Services include critical antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum/postnatal health services to mothers and infants.
