On August 9, 2018, the team hosted a scientific symposium and stakeholder meeting at KCMC to discuss addressing HIV stigma in PMTCT in the Kilimanjaro Region. The aim of the meeting was to bring together scientists and health practitioners working on PMTCT-related activities in order to share our preliminary research findings on PMTCT in the Kilimanjaro Region, and solicit input on an intervention to address HIV stigma in the context of PMTCT. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Tanzanian Ministry of Health, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, the KCMC Community Advisory Board (CAB), and representatives from local healthcare facilities.
The day’s presentations and group activities generated great discussion about the study findings and implications for PMTCT care in the region, as well as ideas for the proposed stigma intervention.
It is our hope that this symposium provides a platform from which we can identify areas of synergy and collaboration to strengthen PMTCT research and implementation within Kilimanjaro Region.
