The Practicalities of Using Nevirapine for PMTCT in Under-Resourced Settings The case of Qaukeni District in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

The case of Qaukeni District in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa Implementation of the programmes intended to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS (PMTCT) is a major challenge, particularly in developing countries. Despite the controversies about Nevirapine (NVP) resistance, safety and efficacy, it is still widely acclaimed and used in most resource-limited countries because it is affordable, easy-to-use and practical. This study identifies the gaps in NVP use for PMTCT in a rural setting, where almost 42% of pregnant women have no access to healthcare facilities and deliver at home, with the support of traditional birth assistants or family members. As a result, many rural HIV-positive pregnant women deliver without the opportunity of PMTCT therapy provided by ante-natal clinics. In response to this problem, an innovative, clinically safe intervention has been designed. This enables HIV-positive pregnant women to self-administer Nevirapine therapy to both themselves, at the onset of labour, and to their newborn, shortly after birth. The study proposes that the widespread use of this intervention will greatly improve access to PMTCT services for HIV-positive pregnant women. The report provides District, Provincial and National PMTCT programme managers with information on the challenges of NVP use in rural communities, and a possible solution for women with inadequate access to health care facilities.

1. Introduction

2. Factors that attract educators away from education

3. Factors in the work environment that encourage educators to leave

4. HIV/AIDS and educators who are considering leaving

5. Summary and discussion

6. Recommendations

References

Prepared for the Education Labour Relations Council by a research consortium comprising the Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS and Health Research Programme of the Human Sciences Research Council and the Medical Research Council.