Continuum of care for HIV-positive women accessing programs to prevent parent-to-child transmission: findings from India.

In recent years there has been increasing concern about the lack of care and treatment services for HIV-positive women despite the high burden of HIV disease they bear. Current estimates indicate that women now account for almost 50 percent of the 38.6 million adults (aged 15-59 years) living with HIV worldwide compared to 41 percent in 1997 and 35 percent in 1985. This shift has resulted in an increase in the number of HIV-infected women of reproductive age which has further resulted in a rise in cases of pediatric AIDS. To reduce vertical transmission of HIV from mothers to infants prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programs have been implemented worldwide. PMTCT programs have been successful not only in reducing the risk of HIV transmission but in encouraging people living with HIV to consider the possibility of having children. Health care providers in Uganda and India have reported that PMTCT programs have given hope to people living with HIV of having "HIV-free" babies. Although PMTCT programs are focused on HIV-infected women of reproductive age their key aim has been to prevent transmission of HIV from the mother to her child. These programs have tended to offer little care and support for the mothers themselves. The potential of PMTCT programs to serve as a key entry point to providing treatment and care to HIV-positive women and their families has not been given serious consideration until recently. (excerpt)