Uganda-ttC

In Uganda, World Vision has effectively integrated HIV-related content into the timed and targeted counseling (ttC) curriculum, materials, monitoring tools and registry. Using the ttC evidence-based behavior change techniques during household visits, Village Health Team members (VHT) promote those preventive and care seeking behaviors recommended for effective community-based prevention of HIV transmission from mother to child (c-PMTCT).

Thirty year old Justine, and husband and three children live in Mugereka village. When Justine got pregnant, a VHT named Vincent registered her for ttC. As a result of the counseling, Justine decided to seek antenatal care when she was 3 months pregnant. That was when she underwent HIV testing and learned she was positive. It was a shocking moment for Justine; not only did she need to consider disclosing her HIV status to her husband but also the possibility of passing HIV to her baby. With Vincent’s counseling, Justine’s husband also got tested and learned that he was HIV positive too.

The young couple was sad and traumatized but Vincent continued visiting to counsel the family as they accepted their new situation – living with HIV. Both Justine and her husband started antiretroviral therapy and again with Vincent’s support they managed to adhere to treatment. Throughout her pregnancy, Justine was supported by her husband, Vincent, and extended family including her own mother and mother-in-law and she delivered a healthy baby girl at the local hospital. “I felt like a heavy load was lifted off my shoulder realizing my child had survived HIV infection” said Justine. With a renewed sense of hope the couple has remained healthy and motivated to work harder for the future of their children. By promoting early infant diagnosis (EID) and breast feeding Vincent provides continued support for the family.