title: The feasibility of preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV using peer counselors in Zimbabwe.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) is a major public health challenge in Zimbabwe.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using trained peer counselors, a nevirapine (NVP)-based PMTCT program was implemented as part of routine care in urban antenatal clinics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between October 2002 and December 2004, a total of 19,279 women presented for antenatal care. Of these, 18,817 (98%) underwent pre-test counseling; 10,513 (56%) accepted HIV testing, of whom 1986 (19%) were HIV-infected. Overall, 9696 (92%) of women collected results and received individual post-test counseling. Only 288 men opted for HIV testing. Of the 1807 HIV-infected women who received posttest counseling, 1387 (77%) collected NVP tablet and 727 (40%) delivered at the clinics. Of the 1986 HIV-infected women, 691 (35%) received NVPsd at onset of labor, and 615 (31%) infants received NVPsd. Of the 727 HIV-infected women who delivered in the clinics, only 396 women returned to the clinic with their infants for the 6-week follow-up visit; of these mothers, 258 (59%) joined support groups and 234 (53%) opted for contraception. By the end of the study period, 209 (53%) of mother-infant pairs (n = 396) came to the clinic for at least 3 follow-up visits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite considerable challenges and limited resources, it was feasible to implement a PMTCT program using peer counselors in urban clinics in Zimbabwe.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, USA. ashetty@wfubmc.edu
authors.forename: Avinash K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marangwanda
authors.forename: Lynda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stranix-Chibanda
authors.forename: Winfreda
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chandisarewa
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chirapa
authors.forename: Agnes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mahomva
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Micah
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simoyi
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Maldonado