The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched an initiative called the “Baby Shower” in Nigeria to address the mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Nigeria is currently among the top four countries with over 10,000 new pediatric HIV infections annually, according to the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). In 2020, Nigeria recorded an estimated 22,000 new HIV infections among children, with only about 37 percent of HIV-positive women accessing necessary services and care, as reported by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH).
Jerry Gwamna, the USCDC Program Deputy Director, highlighted access to healthcare services as a major challenge during a media roundtable in Abuja. He explained that this concern led to the creation of the initiative to reach women who, due to various reasons including financial constraints, cannot access health services.
“We believe it is unacceptable to have a baby born with HIV in this day and age when so much can be done to prevent it,” he stated.
The initiative, also known as the Congregational Approach to Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission, aims to prevent HIV transmission from mothers to their unborn children. Tim Efuntoye, the Prevention Branch Chief of US CDC Nigeria, explained that the program integrates health services, including testing, into religious celebrations through a coordinated approach.
The initiative leverages religious organizations because a significant proportion of Nigerians attend religious activities regularly, and religious leaders have earned the trust of their communities over time.
“Faith-based institutions are therefore seen as a platform to promote healthy behavioral practices in the community,” Efuntoye said.
Regarding the program’s impact, Efuntoye disclosed that from October 2022 to March 2024, 126 congregations have been activated across 13 states, hosting 94 baby shower events with 25,092 participants.
At these events, religious leaders typically invite pregnant women and their partners to baby showers that feature health talks, screenings, testing, and the gifting of mama packs. So far, 0.3% of the pregnant women screened at these events have been identified as HIV positive.
Juliet Friday, a beneficiary of the initiative in the Federal Capital Territory, expressed her gratitude for the program, which helped ensure the health of both her and her baby.
“I am very happy for this baby shower program. I did not expect it, and they gave me lots of gifts,” she said.
The US CDC has urged all pregnant women to pay close attention to their health, attend antenatal sessions regularly, and undergo all necessary tests, including HIV.
