Based on the theme "PMTCT is all a' we business!" (Guyanese Creole for "PMTCT is Everybody’s Business"), a "cascade" of PMTCT (Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission) materials was developed to increase household, community and national awareness of the challenge of preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission in Guyana and to promote wider, more timely use of PMTCT services.

The materials employ a unifying thematic design, with repetition of the programme logo and PMTCT images throughout. The comprehensive behaviour change communication programme includes facility-based, community-based and mass media components.

ANC (antenatal care) clinic-based client-provider interaction materials include:

• set of 15 counseling cards
• take home leaflets
• "ASK ME ABOUT PMTCT" buttons for PMTCT providers
• PMTCT programme promotional poster - multi-ethnic imagery reflecting Guyana’s diversity
• "How to Use these Materials" Provider Workshop, Facilitators Guide

Community-based materials, that repeat the theme and content from clinic-based materials include:

• take home leaflets
• community poster
• community PMTCT workbook
• "How to Use these Materials” Provider Workshop, Facilitators Guide
• prototype PMTCT-focused sermons/ materials for FBOs

There are also radio, television spots, print elements, and an advocacy package with PMTCT Program Press kit that includes a programme brochure, PMTCT fact sheet and a press release.

The materials were developed using a behaviour change approach, and are "setting-specific" - based on Guyana’s specific local context and national policy for content and delivery of PMTCT services (replacement feeding promoted as preferred safer infant feeding method, almost universal facility-based childbirth). The materials:

• Promote a set of essential PMTCT behaviours
• Provide standardised, factual information and messages based on current scientific evidence and global consensus
• Are research-based, incorporating barriers, resistances and motivators from qualitative research into materials
• Promote informed PMTCT choices by women by giving options for women to make the best decision for their personal circumstances
• Provide guidance on how to “negotiate realistic behaviours” that use the recommended behaviour as starting point, but are modified to reflect the real circumstances of women’s lives
• Assure HIV+ pregnant women know all actions they should take and all PMTCT services available
• Promote informed decisionmaking by all pregnant women, especially HIV+ pregnant women
• Help busy PMTCT staff provide quality PMTCT counseling and education
• Provide reminder of main PMTCT facts in standardised format so women receive complete, accurate information
• Help counselors anticipate and answer most common questions/ concerns for PMTCT decisionmaking
• Help counselors ask the right questions to be sure each woman makes the right decisions for her personal and family circumstances
• Help counselors provide options, identify barriers, and negotiate realistic solutions for PMTCT behaviour change

Table of Contents of ANC PMTCT Counseling Cards

How to Use These Cards

Why Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission is Important in Guyana

• How to Prevent Mother-to-Child Transmission
• How Pregnancy is Different for HIV-Positive Women

For HIV Positive Pregnant Women During Pregnancy

• Coping with a Positive HIV Test Result / Disclosure / Partner Testing
• Safer Sex for HIV-Positive Pregnant Women
• Preparing for a Safer Birth
• How You Feed Your Baby is Important to Prevent Mother-to-Child Transmission

For HIV Positive Pregnant Women After the Baby is Born

• Special Postpartum Care / Healthy Behaviours for Positive New Mothers
• Safer Sex and Family Planning for New Mothers (HIV-Positive)

For HIV Negative Pregnant Women After the Baby is Born

• Staying Healthy and HIV-Negative During Pregnancy
• Special Postpartum Care for Newborns of HIV-Negative Women
• Safer Sex and Family Planning for New Mothers (HIV-Negative)

Click on the links below to view or download the full set of PMTCT materials:

Guyana Tools
Guyana PMTCT
Guyana Cue Cards

To contact FHI about these materials email PNary@fhi.org