Health Matters with Nurse Cephas

02/07/2026

Hello Everyone!!! Next week we shall resume health talk about HIV and Other related illnesses

13/02/2026

13/02/2026

SEXUA AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

11/02/2026

HEALTH EDUCATION TALK
Topic: PMTCT and Antenatal Care – Protecting Mother and Baby
🔹 Did you know that a mother living with HIV can give birth to an HIV-free baby?
Let me explain how.
🔹Hello, I am Nurse Cephas, and this is Health Matters.
Today we are discussing PMTCT in relation to antenatal care, and why early clinic attendance is very important.
This information is for health education purposes only.
🔹 WHAT IS PMTCT?
PMTCT stands for Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV.
It refers to services that help prevent a baby from getting HIV from the mother during:
Pregnancy
Labour and delivery
Breastfeeding
Without treatment, HIV can be transmitted.
With proper care and treatment, the risk can be reduced to very low levels.
🔹 WHY ANTENATAL CARE IS IMPORTANT.
Antenatal care is not just about checking the baby’s growth.
It is also about screening and protecting both mother and child.
During antenatal visits:
1️⃣ Mothers are tested for HIV
2️⃣ If positive, ART is started immediately
3️⃣ Mothers receive counselling
4️⃣ The baby is given preventive medication after birth
5️⃣ Follow-up testing is done for the baby
Early booking at antenatal clinic is very important preferably in the first trimester.
🔹 MESSAGE FOR HIV-POSITIVE MOTHERS .
If a pregnant woman is living with HIV and takes her ART consistently:
Her viral load can become suppressed
The risk of transmitting HIV to the baby becomes very low
Treatment protects both mother and child.
Stopping treatment increases risk.
🔹 FOR HIV-NEGATIVE MOTHERS.
Even if you test negative, continue attending antenatal visits.
Repeat testing may be done during pregnancy to ensure continued protection.
🔹 COMMUNITY
●PMTCT services are confidential and available in public health facilities.
●No mother should feel ashamed or afraid to seek care.
Early antenatal booking saves lives.
healthy mother means a healthy baby.
you are pregnant, book early for antenatal care.
Health Matters with Nurse Cephas.

09/02/2026

HEALTH EDUCATION.

Topic: How HIV Is Transmitted – Myths and Facts

Hello and welcome to Health Matters with Nurse Cephas.
, we are talking about how HIV is transmitted, and we will also clear some common myths and facts.
information is for health education purposes only.

🔹 WHY THIS TOPIC IS IMPORTANT
Many people fear HIV because of incorrect information.
Understanding the truth about HIV transmission helps reduce fear, stigma, and discrimination, and it encourages testing and treatment.

🔹 HOW HIV IS TRANSMITTED.
HIV can be transmitted through:
1️⃣ Unprotected s*xual in*******se
Having s*x without a condom with a person who has HIV.
2️⃣ From mother to child
During pregnancy, labour, delivery, or breastfeeding if the mother is not on treatment.
3️⃣ Contact with infected blood
Such as sharing sharp objects like needles, razors, or blades.
4️⃣ Blood transfusion with infected blood
This is now very rare because blood is screened.
5️⃣ Occupational exposure
For example, needle-stick injuries in health care settings.

🔹 MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT HIV TRANSMISSION.
Myth 1: HIV spreads through sharing food or plates.
Fact: HIV is not transmitted through sharing food, plates, or utensils.
Myth 2: You can get HIV by hugging or shaking hands.
Fact: HIV is not spread through casual contact.
Myth 3: Mosquito bites spread HIV.
Fact: HIV cannot survive in mosquitoes.
Myth 4: People living with HIV always look sick.
Fact: Many people living with HIV look healthy, especially when on treatment.

🔹 CLARIFICATION.
HIV is not transmitted through:
Sharing food or drinks
Hugging, kissing, or shaking hands
Using the same toilet
Sweat or tears
this helps us treat each other with respect.

🔹 MESSAGE
you are unsure of your HIV status, visit your nearest health facility for testing.
Health Matters with Nurse Cephas for simple, accurate, and stigma-free health education.
content is for educational purposes only.

04/02/2026

MATERNAL HEALTH