Eliminating New HIV infections Among Nigerian Children By Empowering Mothers and Women with Disabilities to access Reproductive Health and PMTCT Services in Oyo and Osun States, Nigeria.

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The fight against HIV in Nigeria has made significant progress over the years, yet some key challenges remain, particularly in ensuring that vulnerable populations, such as women with disabilities, have access to critical Reproductive Health (RH) and Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) services. To address these challenges, the ENHANCE Project aims to empower mothers and women with disabilities in Oyo and Osun States, Nigeria, to access reproductive health services and prevent HIV transmission to their children.

Project Overview

Project Title: Eliminating New HIV Infections Among Nigerian Children by Empowering Mothers and Women with Disabilities to Access Reproductive Health and PMTCT Services in Oyo and Osun States, Nigeria (ENHANCE Project)

Lead Partner: PLAN Health Advocacy and Development Foundation (PLAN Foundation)

Implementing Partners:

  • Disability Empowerment Solutions Initiatives (DESI), Ibadan, Oyo State
  • Hope for Family Development Initiative (HFDI), Osogbo, Osun State
  • Women Initiative for Family Empowerment (WIFE), Ibadan, Oyo State
  • Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) Women Wing, Osun State Chapter
  • Mercy Support Group (MSG), Osogbo, Osun State

Project Goal

The primary goal of the ENHANCE Project is to eliminate new HIV infections among children while ensuring that their mothers remain healthy. By doing so, the project will contribute to Nigeria’s broader effort to combat HIV and improve the well-being of vulnerable populations.

Objectives

  1. Reduce loss to follow-up among women and children accessing PMTCT services in the project areas from 15% to 0% by the end of October 2018.
  2. Increase knowledge of and demand for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services among 18,000 women by the end of October 2018.
  3. Facilitate access to primary HIV prevention services for women of childbearing age by the end of October 2017.

Strategic Activities

Objective 1: Reducing Loss to Follow-Up

The project aims to build the capacity of mentor mothers and healthcare providers in the project areas to support women and children in accessing PMTCT services consistently.

Key Activities:

  • Identification and training of mentor mothers: Women living with HIV and women with disabilities will be trained to provide community support services on SRH, PMTCT, and antiretroviral therapy (ART). This will foster peer support and ensure stronger community connections to health services.
  • Referral and follow-up services: Mentor mothers will provide ongoing support, including referrals and follow-up, to ensure women remain engaged in PMTCT and ART services.
  • Production of information materials: Accessible materials, including Braille formats and sign-language supported videos, will be developed to raise awareness about SRH, PMTCT, and HIV services among the target communities.

Objective 2: Increasing Knowledge of SRH Services

To meet the demand for SRH services, the ENHANCE Project will use a combination of advocacy, education, and community outreach to raise awareness among women, particularly those with disabilities.

Key Activities:

  • Advocacy visits to healthcare institutions to promote inclusive practices for women with disabilities.
  • Consultative meetings with stakeholders to address barriers to SRH and PMTCT services for women with disabilities.
  • Behavioral change communication training for healthcare workers and mentor mothers, equipping them with tools to combat stigma and promote SRH services in the community.
  • Distribution of SRH commodities like condoms and contraceptives through community outreach programs using three-wheeler vehicles.

Objective 3: Facilitating Access to HIV Prevention Services

The project will create opportunities for women with disabilities to access critical information on HIV prevention through targeted education campaigns.

Key Activities:

  • Production of HIV prevention materials in accessible formats, such as Braille and sign-language supported videos, to ensure all women, including those with visual and hearing impairments, can access vital health information.
  • Television and radio programs: Weekly broadcasts on HIV prevention, SRH, and PMTCT will reach a broad audience, with opportunities for live interactions through phone-ins.
  • Community outreaches: Mentor mothers will engage directly with women’s groups, providing them with SRH information, distributing condoms, and referring them to healthcare services as needed.

The Role of Mentor Mothers

Mentor mothers are central to the ENHANCE Project. These women, drawn from both the PLHIV and disability communities, act as role models, educators, and advocates within their communities. Through targeted training sessions, mentor mothers will become equipped to provide SRH, PMTCT, and HIV-related services and support to other women.

By leveraging their experiences and fostering a community-driven approach, mentor mothers will break down barriers to healthcare access, reduce stigma, and promote healthier outcomes for women and their children.

The ENHANCE Project seeks to make a transformative impact on the lives of mothers and children in Oyo and Osun States, with a particular focus on women with disabilities. By improving access to reproductive health services and PMTCT programs, and by fostering a more inclusive healthcare system, this project will help Nigeria move closer to the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Through its collaborative efforts, the ENHANCE Consortium aims to build stronger, healthier communities, ensuring that no woman or child is left behind in the fight against HIV.