This study surveyed the managers of 99 institutions across 34 countries that participated in an 11-year HIV drug donation program aimed at preventing mothers from transmitting HIV to their babies. The large majority of program managers reported that the donation program expanded services, reduced stigma against HIV-positive pregnant women, and helped build lasting partnerships and funding relationships well beyond the free medicine itself.
Publication
Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission in Resource-Limited Settings: Assessment of 99 Viramune Donation Programmes in 34 Countries, 2000–2011
Ladner J, Besson MH, Rodrigues M, Sams K, Audureau E, & Saba J.
BMC Public Health
Published
Key Takeaways
This study surveyed the managers of 99 institutions across 34 countries that participated in an 11-year HIV drug donation program aimed at preventing mothers from transmitting HIV to their babies. The large majority of program managers reported that the donation program expanded services, reduced stigma against HIV-positive pregnant women, and helped build lasting partnerships and funding relationships well beyond the free medicine itself.
- 86% of program managers said the donation program helped expand HIV prevention services, and nearly 8 in 10 said it helped reduce stigma against HIV-positive pregnant mothers.
- The program appeared to act as a springboard: institutions that participated early often became local experts, which helped them attract additional funding and support from other donors afterward.
- Positive perception was strongest among physicians and patients but notably lower, though still majority-positive, at the community level, pointing to where education efforts could still help.
- Demonstrates that a well-timed donation program can catalyze systemic change (staff training, national policy, funding relationships) that outlasts and outgrows the original donation itself.
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