Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #114526

Mitchell J. Besser, MD, Old Main Building, H Floor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa, (+27)-83-327-7332, mbesser@ucsd.edu

Issues: Women with HIV infection during pregnancy need education and emotional support. Education improves programme adherence. Emotional support improves quality of life. Most women do not disclose their status resulting in emotional isolation. In South Africa's PMTCT programs education and counselling are frequently limited. Expanding comprehensive anti-retroviral treatment (ARV) programs need services to promote treatment adherence. Description:The Mothers' Programmes is an umbrella organization for three distinct services. Mothers 2 Mothers 2 Be (M2M2B) is a mentorship program for HIV infected pregnant women. Recently delivered HIV infected mothers return to antenatal clinic as mother-mentors to educate and support HIV infected pregnant women. Mothers 2 Mothers (M2M), delivered in the primary care clinic, provides on-going education and support to new mothers. Mothers Creations (MC) compliments the M2M program by offering skills training and income generation. Results: M2M2B started in 2001. There are now more than 30 M2M2B/M2M sites in five provinces reaching more than 2500 women per month, with planned extension beyond South Africa. Since 2003, MC mothers earned over R1 million making crafts sold in South Africa, Europe and the United States. In 2005, The Mothers' Programmes through its community outreach program, Mothers 2 Community, will be integrated into several ARV programs to increase adherence to treatment. Conclusions: Women participating in The Mothers' Programmes have a better understanding and greater acceptance of PMTCT interventions. The Mothers Programmes should be incorporated into all PMTCT programs and integrated into health centers caring for women and families living with HIV.

Learning Objectives:

• To understand programmes contributing to the psychosocial support of pregnant women and mothers living with HIV/AIDS.
• To understand programmes contributing to the empowerment of women living with HIV/AIDS.
• To understand programmes contributing to reducing stigma associated with HIV/AIDS.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Social Services

Related Web page: www.mothersprogrammes.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.