AIDS
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is caused by HIV, and is diagnosed when the immune system is too weak to fight off infections that it would usually be able to prevent or control.
ART
Anti-retroviral treatment. There are several different forms of treatment available for people living with HIV/AIDS.
ARV
Anti-retroviral drugs which are medication for the treatment of HIV/AIDS. ARVs are given during pregnancy and to new-born babies to prevent the transmission of HIV. ARVs are also given to people with more advanced HIV infections or AIDS.
CD4 cell
A part of the immune system that helps fight infections. HIV attacks the immune systems by living in and eventually killing a person’s CD4 cells.
CD4 count
A CD4 test measures the number of T-helper cells in the blood, which is known as the CD4 count. Someone who is not infected with HIV normally has between 500 and 1200 cells/mm3. HIV drug treatment is generally recommended when the CD4 test shows fewer than 350 cells/mm3. World Health Organization (WHO) 2010 guidelines recommend starting treatment for all patients with CD4 counts of 350 cells/mm3 in all countries. Some countries may have treatment guidelines which differ from WHO recommendations.
Client Education Cards
A set of tools developed to facilitate client education sessions. The cards, in a flipchart format, use images to illustrate key learning points for clients, while providing site staff with a list of priority talking points.
Curriculum
A set of Mentor Mother and Site Coordinator training modules on key topics necessary to support holistic PMTCT services. Entitled Helping Mothers Savings Babies, the curriculum includes a trainer manual, a participant manual and presentation materials.
HAART
Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy - a combination of three or more different antiretroviral drugs, which significantly delays the onset of AIDS in HIV-positive people.
HCT
HIV Counseling and Testing (previously known as Voluntary Testing and Counseling).
HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus which attacks the immune system. With time, HIV wipes out the immune system which leads to AIDS (see above).
HIV test
The use of approved tests by a trained person to detect if someone is infected with HIV (see PCR test and rapid test).
Mentor Mother
Mothers living with HIV employed to mentor HIV-positive pregnant women and new mothers in health facilities. They work side-by-side with doctors and nurses, as paid members of the health care team, supporting and educating women about how to take their medicines, and how to take care of themselves and their babies.
MNCH
Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health
MTCT
Mother-to-child transmission of HIV. This can occur during pregnancy, labor and delivery, or breastfeeding. Without treatment, 15-30% of babies born to HIV-positive women will become infected with HIV during pregnancy and delivery and an additional 5-20% will become infected through breastfeeding.
Nevirapine
Nevirapine (NVP) is one type of anti-retroviral drug, commonly given to women during labor and to babies after delivery. NVP can also be part of a HAART regimen.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test
Test that detects the presence of the HIV virus. PCR tests are used for early diagnosis in babies.
PMTCT
Acronym for “prevention of mother-to-child transmission” of HIV. Frequently used as an alternative to “vertical transmission”, but techincally refers to a four-pronged strategy to prevent HIV among infants and young children. This includes key interventions to be implemented as a component of overall maternal, newborn and child health services:
Prong 1: Primary prevention of HIV among women of reproductive age within services related to reproductive health such as antenatal care, postpartum/natal care and other health and HIV service delivery points, including working with community structures.
Prong 2: Providing appropriate counselling and support to women living with HIV to enable them make an informed decision about their future reproductive life, with special attention to preventing unintended pregnancies.
Prong 3: For pregnant women living with HIV, ensure HIV testing and access to the antiretroviral drugs that will help mothers’ own health and prevent infection being passed on to their babies during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding.
Prong 4: Better integration of HIV care, treatment and support for women found to be positive and their families.
Pre-test counseling
Refers to a discussion between a trained health worker and client (as an individual or couple) to assist the client in making an informed decision to have an HIV test.
Post-test counseling
Refers to a discussion between a trained health worker and a client (as an individual or couple) to assist the client in understanding and accepting the HIV test results and to create a link to needed services.
RMNCH
Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health
Rapid test
HIV test that detects HIV antibodies, or the body’s natural response to HIV, typically in about 30 minutes.
Seroconversion
The development of antibodies to a particular antigen (infectious organism); in this case HIV. Seroconversion is a part of the immune response. When people develop antibodies to HIV, they "seroconvert" from antibody-negative to antibody-positive. In other words seroconversion has occurred. It may take from as little as 1 week to several months or more after infection with HIV for antibodies to the virus to develop. After antibodies to HIV appear in the blood, a person will test positive on antibody tests.
Site
Located in hospitals and clinics, the m2m site is a dedicated room where support and counseling is carried out. A site is typically managed by a Site Coordinator who is supported by one to three Mentor Mothers.
Site Coordinator
A former Mentor Mother who manages activities at an m2m site. She has additional administrative responsibility and is typically responsible for coordinating with clinic staff.
Site Cluster
A site cluster is typically established for multiple sites that are geographically proximate and do not have enough clients to support the efforts of both a resident Site Coordinator and Mentor Mother. Each site is assigned one Mentor Mother. A Site Coordinator manages a cluster of two to five sites and coordinates the Mentor Mothers’ activities and reports on the services they provide.
Task shifting
A process of task delegation from doctors to nurses; and from nurses to other less specialized lay health workers. Task shifting improves healthcare coverage by making more efficient use of the human resources. (WHO, Jan 2008). m2m is able to support and compliment services provided by medical staff by allowing healthcare facilities to shift PMTCT and HIV education and counseling tasks from overburdened doctors and nurses to m2m Mentor Mothers and Site Coordinators.
Training
Competency-based education provided to all Mentor Mothers and Site Coordinators using the Helping Mothers Savings Babies curriculum. Builds the requisite skills needed to support holistic PMTCT services on site.
Unprotected sex
Refers to sex without using a condom or using it incorrectly.
Vertical transmission
Another way of saying “mother-to-child transmission” of HIV. While widely used in the global health community, this term should always include a definition in external materials for general audiences.
Viral load
A measure of how many HIV particles are in the blood. A high viral load means that a person has a large amount of HIV in the blood and is at higher risk of transmitting HIV infection to a baby or a sexual partner. A lower viral load means that a person does not have a large amount of HIV in the blood and has a lower risk of transmitting HIV to others.
Window period
The period of time between when a person is first infected and when HIV antibodies appear in the blood. It takes several weeks for the body to make HIV antibodies after HIV infection. If a person takes an antibody test after infection but before antibodies have appeared, the result will be negative, even though he or she is infected with HIV. The person should take another HIV test six weeks after exposure to be sure they are truly negative.
WHO guidelines
The World Health Organization guidelines for HIV/AIDS and PMTCT treatment.
