PMTCT: Addressing the Needs of Women and Their Partners to Improve Services

This technical brief is designed to provide a quick reference for improvement specialists, clinicians, health workers and implementing partners working in PMTCT services. It presents the key gender issues for consideration in PMTCT services backed by research and evidence-based practices. Three focal points are: negative social attitudes towards HIV-positive pregnant women; lack of male involvement in PMTCT services and gender-based violence that can result from PMTCT service delivery. The brief provides recommended action steps to address these issues and improve PMTCT services in ways that benefit the whole family. Links to additional resources are provided at the end of the document.