Background
In Tanzania, It is estimated that 0.4% of children under the age of 15 years are infected with HIV. Regional-wise, the highest prevalence rates were found in Njombe (0.8%), Iringa (0.7%), Mbeya (0.6%) and Dodoma (0.2%). Also, the prevalence rate for pregnant and breastfeeding women is highest in Njombe at 9.7%, Iringa at 7.6%, Mbeya at 6.4%, and Dodoma is 2.1% (Ministry of Health Tanzania, 2023).
In Tanzania prevention of HIV transmission from mother to child, being 3.2% in 2020 and 2.8% in 2022, is a slight improvement. However, the gaps in preventing vertical transmission, are due to low HIV maternal retesting; mothers not receiving antiretroviral therapy, mothers dropping out of care, and mothers getting infected during pregnancy or the breastfeeding period, (Ministry of Health Tanzania, 2023). Other barriers are stigma and discrimination; long distances to health facilities and costs for transport; lack of child-friendly services; insufficient food and nutrients; and poor adherence of the mother on attending HIV care and taking medicine.
Over 90% of new infections among infants and young children occur through vertical transmission. Without any interventions, between 20% and 45% of infants may become infected.
Objectives
Main goal is that children living with HIV aged 0-14 years are identified, receive appropriate HIV services, and live healthy lives.
Objectives are:
- 3000 children living with HIV are identified, have started treatment, and are supported to continue their treatment
- The community has the knowledge and capacity to identify children living with HIV aged 0-14 years and to link them to appropriate HIV services
- Strengthened community-facility collaboration for comprehensive HIV services to children aged 0-14 years
- Young mothers living with HIV and caregivers of children living with HIV are treatment literate and support their children’s treatment
- Advocacy for access to and availability of HIV treatment of children living with HIV aged 0-14 years
- Consortium members and partners have the required knowledge and skills on paediatric HIV and are aware of the progress of the project
- Sustainability of paediatric HIV intervention
Expected results
- 3000 children aged 0-14 years living with HIV and 3500 young mothers living with HIV aged 10-24 years will be reached.
- 360 community representatives will be identified and engaged in the project implementation
- 52 staff at health facilities will be trained to offer child-friendly services
About the Kids to Care Model
The Aidsfonds Kids to Care model empowers communities to strengthen the links between communities and health facilities to find, test, treat and retain children, and pregnant and lactating mothers, living with HIV in care. The Kids to Care model is built on the following foundation principles:
- Community-owned and community-led
- Builds on existing community structures
- Child and family centred
- Builds on government frameworks and policies
- Key stakeholders are meaningfully involved from the beginning
- Interventions are informed by data
- Committed to sustainability and long-term support
More about the Kids to Care model can be found here
