Foundation Strengthens Awareness On HIV Prevention Among Pregnant Women

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria is set to introduce a community-based radio campaign aimed at preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV and improving maternal health outcomes across the country.

The initiative, titled “Mentor Mothers,” is designed to address gaps in awareness and access to prevention services, particularly at the grassroots level.

Speaking during a focus group discussion with PMTCT coordinators, mentor mothers, and Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in Abuja, Senior Advocacy and Marketing Manager at AHF Nigeria, Mr Steve Aborisade, said the campaign seeks to tackle the persistent challenge of paediatric HIV infections, largely driven by low awareness among pregnant women.

“One of the major gaps in HIV programming in Nigeria is paediatric HIV transmission from mothers to their unborn children which remains quite prevalent. We aim to eliminate this,” Aborisade said.

He explained that the programme would leverage mass media to reach women in underserved communities with accurate information on HIV prevention and treatment.

Aborisade noted that the initiative had already been piloted in Benue State, where it recorded strong audience engagement, with listeners actively calling in to seek guidance.

“We are encouraged by the response so far and optimistic that similar acceptance will be achieved in other locations,” he added.

He said the campaign would complement ongoing community-based interventions, including the deployment of mentor mothers, women living with HIV who have successfully delivered HIV-negative babies to provide peer support and education.

Also speaking, Nurse and PMTCT Focal Person for AHF Nigeria in the FCT, Omoseke Bamijoko, emphasised that adherence to treatment protocols enables HIV-positive pregnant women to give birth to HIV-negative children.

“In Nigeria, HIV testing is part of routine antenatal care. Once a woman tests positive, she is immediately enrolled in PMTCT services to prevent transmission,” she said.

Bamijoko, however, identified low awareness and poor antenatal attendance as key barriers to accessing these services.

Similarly, PMTCT Focal Person at the FCT AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (FASCP), Malam Nuhu Aliyu, said the initiative would help drive awareness in hard-to-reach communities and support efforts to eliminate HIV, Hepatitis B, and Syphilis by 2030.

He stressed the importance of encouraging people to get tested and understand that effective treatment options exist for those who test positive.

On her part, Deputy Coordinator of the Association of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (ASHWAN), Mrs Stella Ebeh, underscored the need for sustained awareness and women’s empowerment to reduce mother-to-child transmission rates.

A Traditional Birth Attendant, Hajiya Zainab Rabiu, noted that the campaign would strengthen efforts to educate pregnant women on the importance of HIV screening and PMTCT services.

Also, a mentor mother from Kuje, Esther John, called for increased public education, particularly among young people and expectant mothers, as well as improved access to testing kits and antiretroviral drugs.

Stakeholders expressed optimism that the combination of community engagement and radio outreach would significantly boost awareness, improve service uptake, and reduce new paediatric HIV infections in Nigeria.