Accelerating the Prevention-of-Mother-To-Child-Transmission of HIV: An International Oil Company's Social Responsibility Initiative in the Niger Delta
Authors: Okegbemiro Sunday , Okala Chinwe 
Published: March 2016

Background

The Company has been operating in Nigeria for nearly 55 years and it recognizes the profound mutual reliance of healthy businesses and healthy communities. The prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Nigeria supports its business and social objectives. Partnering with Pact, a non-governmental organization, the Company established the Prevention-of-Mother-To-Child-Transmission of HIV (PROMOT) project in September 2012 with the goal of educating and mobilizing targeted communities in Bayelsa State, Nigeria to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The State has one of the highest HIV prevalence rate in the country and it is an area where the Company has operations.

Methodology

The main objective of the PROMOT project was to: Increase the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV in Bayelsa State, Nigeria through increased community awareness of the effectiveness of PMTCT and community based mentoring and support for HIV positive pregnant women. The Company also initiated a 42-month intervention project with a strategy to reduce stigmatization of persons living with HIV/AIDS both at the health facility level and at the community level by increasing awareness.

The Company created a sustainable community based and government supported PMTCT outreach program through the following activities – assessment of the pre-intervention service structure for PMTCT, emphasizing community perceptions of ease of access and quality of service delivery for ante-natal clinic; selection of 8 Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) to implement the PROMOT Project in the 8 Local Government Areas (LGAs), and the development of a comprehensive PMTCT Training Manual that incorporates National PMTCT Guidelines and best practices from other countries. Other activities include use of a mobile technology program to create demand for PMTCT services by disseminating information to communities that have difficulties accessing healthcare facilities, training of 247 individuals in different aspects of PMTCT and conduction of a capacity building workshop for partners on advocacy and community mobilization.

Results/Lesson Learned

Bayelsa State's HIV prevalence rate, which was 9.1% in 2010, made it the third highest among the 36 States in Nigeria. By the end of the second year of the project, 30,738 pregnant women have been tested for HIV, while 117,898 people were reached with HIV prevention messages. Also, 431 HIV-positive pregnant women were placed on antiretroviral prophylaxis, while 449 individuals (including Community Health Extension Workers) were trained on the latest PMTCT approaches and techniques.

PROMOT remains a visible and impactful player in HIV/AIDS prevention, by maintaining alignment with state and national HIV/AIDS priorities. This has made Pact and the Company valued partners among stakeholders.

Conclusion

The above is a high-level synopsis of Chevron Nigeria Limited's (CNL) social health investment on Prevention of Mother-to Child-Transmission of HIV in Bayelsa State of Nigeria.