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Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV: HIV Testing and Counseling

Course Description

Course Name

Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV: HIV Testing and Counseling

Main Learning Objectives

  • Introduce concepts of HIV testing and counseling (T&C) and other types of counseling to prevent HIV/AIDS among infants and children based on WHO, UNICEF, and UNAIDS recommendations;
  • Learn the basic principles of counseling programs integral to PMTCT programmes;
  • Understand the interaction between different maternal and child healthcare services, HIV/AIDS prevention services, and nongovernmental organizations involved in the provision of counseling; and
  • Learn to apply the knowledge in practical settings.
Key Topics

The comprehensive WHO/UNICEF/UNAIDS approach to prevent HIV infection in infants and young children; HIV prevention strategies; HIV T&C as a gateway to prevention and care; goals and principles of HIV T&C; HIV testing methods; HIV T&C algorithm; minimum standards for T&C in limited-resource settings with low HIV prevalence (WHO protocols); effective counseling processes; pre-test counseling (content, specifics, and informed consent); post-test counseling (giving negative results, giving positive results, and assessing and managing adverse events); counseling for various population groups; models for providing T&C; counseling HIV-infected women on pregnancy and HIV; counseling HIV- infected patients on family planning; counseling HIV-infected mothers on infant feeding options; monitoring and evaluation of T&C; and WHO protocols (March 2004); and national recommendations.
Key Teaching Documents and Materials Provided

  • Strategic Framework to Prevent HIV Infection among Infants in Europe (WHO, UNICEF, UNAIDS, UNFPA, 2004);
  • WHO HIV/AIDS Treatment and Care Protocols for European Region (2006);
  • Relevant national protocols and policies;
  • A Guide to the Clinical Care of Women with HIV (Jean Anderson, editor, 2001); and
  • Comprehensive set of course slides and handouts.

*Materials are available in Russian and English in both print and electronic formats

Teaching Methods Presentations, small group discussions, role-play, case studies, and site visits.
Target Audience

Counselors (physicians and nurses from AIDS Centers and MCH facilities, NGO representatives, etc.) involved in PMTCT
Maximum class size: 18-24 participants.
Faculty Multidisciplinary, national.
Duration 3-day course.