Preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Guatemala

Antigua, Guatemala, February 2009
UNICEF International

Odaliz Canrey is 19 and pregnant with her first child. Thanks to UNICEF, she's getting tested for HIV. An important factor in reducing the spread of HIV is the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT). In Guatemala UNICEF is working in hospitals offering technical assistance, human resources and HIV testing for pregnant women. UNICEF can help to prevent mothers like Odaliz from passing the infection to their babies.

Odaliz decides to bring her mother along for support. The two of them leave the house they share and begin the journey to the closest national hospital, where her HIV test will be given as part of her regular prenatal examination.

Odaliz says people in her culture are afraid to discuss HIV - even basic facts like how it is spread. She says there are misunderstandings about HIV among people in her village of Alotenango.

"I've seen situations where if a women is HIV-positive, people will not touch her, the won't let their kids hang out with her or her children," says Odaliz. "There's a lot of stigma."

As Odaliz waits for her results, she sits in a crowded hospital hallway talking with her mother. Around her, dozens of pregnant women and new mothers wait for their own results. Birth control is rarely discussed in this society, where it's not uncommon for a woman to have as many as 10 children.

Nurse Vilma Salazar says most of the women arrive at the hospital knowing almost nothing about HIV.

"They might know a little from the radio or watching television, but when I ask them what they know, they usually remain silent - which has a lot to do with the culture, with fear and shame," says Ms. Salazar.

After an hour's wait, Odaliz is called into the nurse's office. She sits down and is given the results: she is negative. She talks with the nurse about prevention strategies. They also reschedule her next prenatal exam.

Odaliz walks back to the hallway and delivers the good news to her mother. She also shares a message she received from the nurse: Prevention is the key to ensure that future generations are born free of HIV.

From the UNICEF International Website

Mozambique: Paediatric Treatment for Children Living With HIV

Maputo, Mozambique, April 2008
UNICEF International

In a sunny waiting room decorated with colourful paintings, 14 year old Leo chats happily with the nurse. His present outlook hides a difficult past. Just a few years ago, he was so weak that his mother had to carry him on her back in order to bring him up to this hospital where he spent much of his childhood.

Leo is living with HIV, but unlike many other children in the same situation he is receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) as well as care and psychological support from a loving and highly trained staff at the Paediatric Day Hospital, supported by UNICEF.

Dr. Vaz who treats Leo says that a key challenge in the treatment of HIV is dealing with the stigma. Because of the misunderstanding and shame associated with the virus, children are often not brought to the hospital for the proper treatment. Leo talks about his HIV status with ease at the hospital, but he keeps it a secret from his friends because he is scared of possible discrimination.

Psychological support, including counselling, is a central service of the Paediatric Day Hospital. Artists come into the hospital twice a week to work with the children. They work on paintings, sculpture and other artwork.

"It helps the children express their emotions that they sometimes cannot put into words," says Dr. Vaz.

Psychologist Caterina Mboa Ferao says that her work has become easier now that the children have access to ARV treatment.

"Before, HIV was associated to death," she recalls, "But now we can talk about life, and we're seeing our children grow up."