Associating HIV Service Provision with the Domain of Focused Antenatal Care: Creating the Necessary Demand In Peoples' Minds

Objectives: 
A health region in Ghana had a problem of increasing the access to HIV prevention in at risk group- the sexually active and women in reproductive age. In 2010, the health managers decided to associate the HIV service provision as an essential part of focused antenatal care for all pregnant women at one service point in every health facility where family health services are provided. 

Methods: 
Training sessions on quality service provision in HIV testing and treatment was organized for health staff in all the 112 Antenatal (ANC) service points. The training had Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission (PMTCT) as the major learning object, incorporated into ANC service delivery. The service providers were informed that their output would be assessed at the end of the year. ANC services provided without PMTCT were discounted. Materials and logistics for PMTCT service provision were supplied periodically and regularly throughout the study period.

Results: 
At the end of the year, 56,362 pregnant women had been registered for ANC service, 49,930 tested for HIV and receiving post test counseling. Number positive for HIV was 771.Those who qualified for Anti-retro-viral prophylaxis was 533, with 36 receiving full treatment by the end of the period.

Conclusions: 
The service provided by associating HIV service provision with the domain of focused antenatal provides a safety net to previously unmet needs of a vulnerable key population, the necessary demand for a better healthy chance is easily created on the radar of health care delivery systems.