Emmanuel International Malawi, with funding from World Rotary Club, implemented a Teen Moms Project in Zomba, Mulanje and Machinga districts in the period from June 2018 to March 2020. The main objective of this project was to address multiple challenges affecting pregnant HIV positive young mothers, and those who have exposed infants from health facilities by creating a peer support network through the establishment of clubs in collaboration with Ministry of Health for sustainability.
The project also focused on improving access of young mothers to PMTCT (prevention of mother to child transmission) services, adherence to ART (anti-retro viral therapy), retention in care, and viral load suppression. As if this focus range is not enough, the project also took part in ensuring an Increase uptake and access of family planning methods, ANC (antenatal) services and STI (sexually transmitted infections) services.
By conducting capacity building exercises in health centres within the selected districts, EI Malawi through this project also ensured an improvement in attitudes and skills of health care workers addressing the needs of HIV positive Teen Mothers and their children, and an enhancement in terms of support from their parents and guardians.
On the selection criteria, all members of the peer support network were aged between 12 and 24, living with HIV, pregnant or having a not more than two years old child exposed to HIV and fully disclosed and receiving treatment at the health facility the club is located
by the time the project was phasing out, a total of 10 Teen Mom Clubs had been set up, and 268 against the target of 240 teen mothers had enrolled into the program. This was the case as the need for such intervention was great and budget flexibility allowed it. In addition, a total of 154 Health Care workers had received various trainings to upgrade their skills. Below is complete list of services members of the Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) clubs would access through the clubs:
Medical: Drug refill, nutrition assessment, FP, PMTCT etc.
Health Education: Adherence, FP services, infant feeding etc.
Psychosocial counselling: Partner disclosure, couples’ session, going back to school etc.
Linkages: Economic empowerment, education etc.
Compiled By: Patrick Chakanza