1. The Role of the Africa Midwives Research Network in Strengthening the Contribution of Nurses and Midwives in Response to HIV/AIDS Epidemic in ECSA Region Rose Mlay, Lecturer Faculty of Nursing Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences Email: rmlay@muchs.ac.tzrmlay@muchs.ac.tz

2. INTRODUCTION Africa Midwives Research Network (AMRN) is a voluntary, scientific, autonomous, non- governmental organization AMRN has a role to strengthen Nurses and Midwives in response to HIV/AIDS by improving their: knowledge and skills in evidence based practice, research, counseling, advocacy, education

3. The Magnitude of HIV Problem Speed of HIV spread is terrifying In 1999, 36 million people were infected, 25 million of these live in sub-Sahara Africa In 2002, 40 million people are infected 95% live in developing countries 83% of all deaths due to AIDS are from Africa

4. The Magnitude of the HIV/AIDS Problem Cont. Half of the people infected in Sub-Sahara Africa are Women Less than 15% of people in Africa have used condom Nearly half of HIV infected women are in their prime reproductive age MTCT in the absence of intervention is 25%

5. Strategies That Have Reduced the Problem of HIV/AIDS Not Breastfeeding carries zero risk of HIV transmission Use of Nevirapine for mother at start of labor and to infant within 72 hours reduce MTCT Couple Counseling on HIV testing increase change in Behaviour Exclusive Breastfeeding reduce MTCT compared to Mixed feeding

6. The Role of AMRN in Strengthening Nurses and Midwives To Respond To HIV/AIDS Epidemic Encouraging nurses and midwives to practice basing on evidence by emphasizing change from traditions. Read and utilize study findings. HIV/AIDS must be in curriculum Empowering nurses and midwives to take their roles as educators, advocates, counselors, decision makers through discussion and training in workshops

7. The Role of AMRN in Strengthening Nurses and Midwives To Respond To HIV/AIDS Cont. Strengthening Research Skills Among Nurses and Midwives by teaching them the process of research methodology and giving them opportunity to conduct individual research including dissemination of results

8. The Role of AMRN in Strengthening Nurses and Midwives To Respond To HIV/AIDS Cont Training Nurses and Midwives on counseling (Not adequately addressed by AMRN) Nurses and Midwives are used to instructing people, this does not work Counseling is essential in the prevention and management of HIV/AIDS IVCT & CVCT have proved to be effective in the prevention of HIV spread

9. ECSACON and AMRN Together we can Bring Changes so Lets Move