Recorded presentation

William C. Clemmer, MD, SANRU Basic Rural Health Project, Ave. de la Justice, Kinshasa-GOmbe, Congo-Kinshasa, 243-9939774, clemmer@sanru.org and Felix Minuku, MD, MPH, Technical Coordination, SANRU III Basic Rural Health Project, Ave. de la Justice, Kinshasa-Gombe, Congo-Kinshasa.

The SANRU III Basic Rural Health Project (2001-2006) in the Democratic Republic of Congo provides comprehensive assistance to 56 health zones/districts for PHC institutions and priority interventions, including HIV-AIDS. SANRU works with the Minister of Health and the National HIV-AIDS Program (PNLS) to promote:

1) HIV Awareness and behavioral changes

2) Screening of blood transfusions and universal safety precautions

3) Treatment of Sexual Transmitted Infections

4) Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/aids (PTMTC)

The seroprevalence of HIV is estimated at 4 to 10% (higher in urban and post conflict areas). Mother to child HIV Transmission is estimated at 25-30%. Nevirapine, an inexpensive and easy to administer medicine can decrease that rate to approximately 10%. Despite the wide acceptance of this therapy, it is not yet used extensively Congo, and seroprevalence among children less than five years of age increased from 8% in 1998 to 16% in 2000.

In March 2003 SANRU initiated a pilot project (PMTCT) in four health zones/districts focusing on hospitals and larger birthing centers. Women attending antenatal clinics were offered voluntary HIV testing after appropriate counseling. Women testing positive with two HIV tests were given Nevirapine during labor as well as the newborn according to a national protocol.

This study, one of the first of it kind in DR Congo, offers reliable rates of HIV in a pregnant population in rural health zones. It also demonstrates the acceptance of HIV testing and the ability to follow a well laid out protocol and end results.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will be able to

• List four components of SANRU’s HIV-AIDS Program in DR Congo
• Explain the general objectives and strategies of a PMTCT program.
• Describe the seroprevalence of HIV rates for rural Congo.

Keywords: HIV Interventions, Maternal and Child Health

Related Web page: sanru.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation