D.39 - Detection of HIV / AIDS and ITS in pregnant women

D.39 - Detection of HIV / AIDS and ITS in pregnant women
Strengthen measures for detection of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections in pregnant women and for prevention of the vertical transmission of the virus.
Priority measure number
39

Comment

This priority measure is complementary to priority measure 38 (on HIV), which applies to the population in general and refers to promoting prevention and timely detection and universal access to comprehensive treatment for HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections, and to priority measure 37 on universal access to sexual and reproductive health services.

Possible lines of action

1. Include in sexual and reproductive health care measures for ensuring that pregnant, post-partum and breastfeeding women are apprised of their HIV/AIDS and STI status and have access to preventive measures and treatment during pregnancy, delivery and post-partum depending on the time of diagnosis. 2. Earmark the necessary funding for the functioning of sexual and productive health programmes and services targeted at pregnant women for the early diagnosis of HIV/AIDS and to guarantee adequate antiretroviral therapy in order to avoid vertical transmission. 3. Develop intersectoral strategies. 4. Promote timely care for pregnant women, including antenatal check-ups. 5. Guarantee diagnostic services with counselling before and after testing.

Related instruments, forums and mechanisms

Sustainable Development Goals, Goal 3 (“Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”), target 3.3 (referring to ending, by 2030, the epidemics of AIDS and other communicable diseases).

Santo Domingo Consensus, agreement 72 (“Ensure that the financial resources for HIV/AIDS prevention are allocated to specific measures grounded in scientific evidence that reflects the particular characteristics of the epidemic in each country, with special attention to geographical location, social networks and populations that are vulnerable to HIV infection, with a view to ensuring that those resources are employed as effectively as possible”) and agreement 73 (“Ensure comprehensive care for persons affected by HIV/AIDS, in particular women, girls, adolescents, young persons, orphans and vulnerable children, migrants and people in humanitarian emergencies, detained women, indigenous populations, Afro-descendants and women with disabilities”).

Brasilia Consensus, agreement 6.e (“Ensure also universal access by women in their diversity to comprehensive, high-quality sexual and reproductive health care, including care for human immuno-deficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), its prevention, diagnosis and free treatment, and especially, to carry out campaigns to promote the use of the male and female condoms”).

Quito Consensus, agreement xxv (“Implement measures and policies that take into account the linkages between social and economic vulnerabilities as they relate to women’s possibilities of participating in politics and in paid work, especially in terms of access to sexual and reproductive health care, water and sanitation, and HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care, with priority being placed on the poorest women and their families”).

Topic
D. Sexual and reproductive health