NYNETHA SENSITISES ANTENATAL MOTHERS ON HIV PREVENTION, REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
By Ginika Oguji
The National Youth Network on HIV/AIDS (NYNETHA) has sensitised pregnant women, nursing mothers and caregivers at the Comprehensive Medical Centre (CMC), Awkuzu, on HIV prevention, safe sex and reproductive health.
The sensitisation workshop was held on Aug. 19 during the hospital’s Antenatal Care Day, was part of NYNETHA’s community engagement efforts to provide young mothers and families with accurate information on HIV prevention and reproductive health.
The lead facilitator, Mrs Uchechukwu Obi-Okoye, said pregnancy was a critical period for preventing mother to child transmission of HIV, urging mothers to know their status, protect themselves and their babies, and seek appropriate treatment when necessary.
She stressed the importance of safe sex, regular HIV testing and early treatment for mothers and their partners, noting that HIV was preventable with the right information and access to appropriate services.
Obi-Okoye said the session covered HIV testing and counselling, prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT), antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), safe delivery, infant feeding options, correct use of male and female condoms, partner communication and risk reduction.
She added that participants were educated on family planning and birth spacing, while information, education and communication (IEC) materials, condoms and referral slips for further care were distributed.
One of the expectant mothers, Mrs Obioma Umekwe, said the session cleared some misconceptions about HIV and pregnancy, adding that she learnt the importance of HIV testing for both herself and her husband.
The Chief Medical Director of CMC Awkuzu, Dr Adaobi Odina, commended NYNETHA for choosing antenatal care as a platform for the sensitisation, saying youth led organisations helped make health messages more relatable and reduce stigma.
The workshop ended with a call on men to accompany their wives for antenatal care and undergo HIV testing together. NYNETHA is a network of young people committed to HIV advocacy, prevention education and linking vulnerable populations to care across Nigeria.
Ginika Oguji is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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