Testing and Counselling for Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (TC for PMTCT): Support Tools

The goal of the TC for PMTCT Support Tools is to facilitate the efficient delivery of essential PMTCT messages to:

• Improve the uptake of HIV testing among pregnant women and their partners

• Increase the number of women who know their HIV status

• Promote and provide appropriate PMTCT interventions

The Support Tools respond to a need in resource-constrained settings for educational materials, job aids, and training resources to support the integration of testing and counselling (TC) into antenatal care (ANC), labour and delivery (L&D) and post-delivery (PD) settings. They promote provider-initiated, opt-out HIV testing with rapid tests and same day results, the provision of TC services on first contact between the client and the healthcare worker, and the use of group pre-test sessions to optimise resources. The Support Tools were developed as a resource for:

• PMTCT healthcare workers--clinical (nurses, midwives, doctors) and non-clinical (HIV counsellors, peer or lay counsellors, and outreach workers)

• PMTCT programme managers

• PMTCT trainers

The flipcharts provide the healthcare worker with simple scripts containing essential messages, open-ended questions to guide discussion, and responses to commonly asked questions, while the graphics on the other side reinforce key messages for clients.

The protocol wall charts summarize the steps a healthcare worker follows to deliver TC for PMTCT services. The wall charts are designed to be posted on the clinic, delivery room and maternity ward walls as a reference for healthcare workers.

The brochures are single-page take-home leaflets for clients to reinforce PMTCT messages received during counselling sessions.

The reference guide provides detailed background information on implementing and delivering TC in PMTCT settings and provides guidance and support to healthcare workers to enhance the use of the Support Tools.

The CD-ROM provides an electronic version of all Support Tools components. These files can be modified and adapted to reflect country-specific policies and context, and the adapted materials can then be printed locally and distributed to all PMTCT sites.

Adapted Tools from Cambodia:

• ANC Pre-Test Adaptation (PDF, 4.0MB)

• ANC Post-Test Adaptation (PDF, 2.5MB)

Adapted Tools from Mozambique:

• ANC Patient Information Brochure (PDF, 1.7MB)

• L&D Patient Information Brochure (PDF, 1.9MB)

• ANC Pre-Test Flipcharts (PDF, 16.1MB)

• L&D Pre- and Post-Test Flipcharts (PDF, 18.4MB)

The Support Tools are available as both high-resolution and low-resolution PDF and Microsoft Word files. The high-resolution copies are intended for professional full color printing. Because these files are very large and may be difficult for users with slow Internet connections to open, low-resolution, smaller versions are also provided in PDF and Microsoft Word for general desktop publishing and faster downloads. The Microsoft Word files, unlike the PDF files, may be edited. Acrobat Reader 4.0 or higher is required to open and view the PDF files. This software can be downloaded free of charge on the Adobe site.

To order printed copies or a CD-ROM of the Support Tools, send an order form [MS Word, 64K] to:
CDC NPIN, P.O. Box 6003,
Rockville, MD, 20849-6003, USA or by e-mail to info@cdcnpin.org
(Include TC for PMTCT as the subject line and attach the form to your e-mail).

To order by phone, call (404) 679-3860 or 1-800-458-5231. It is also possible to fax the order form to 1-888-282-7681.

For further information, contact:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
NCHSTP/Global AIDS Program/PMTCT Team,
1600 Clifton Road, MS E-04,
Atlanta, GA 30333, USA or by email at obb3@cdc.gov .