A new edition of the educational campaign of the National Center for AIDS “I have time to talk (#mamczasrozmawiac)” has started, promoting intergenerational dialogue on health, including difficult topics, such as sexually transmitted diseases, eg AIDS. Maria Seweryn starred in a spot that promotes dialogue between mothers and daughters about HIV testing. The bloggers Macademian Girl, Madam Madman and Ask a Midwife will also take part in the campaign.
«The gynecologist has already confirmed the pregnancy. He commissioned me to do various tests. Even for HIV. HIV can affect everyone “, informs the” daughter of the film “, the protagonist of the campaign educational spot of the National Center for AIDS, played by Maria Seweryn. The actress got involved in the #mamczasrozmawiac campaign without hesitation. «I hope that women who are planning a pregnancy or awaiting the birth of a child, like my heroine, will have no hesitation in doing all the recommended tests – including the HIV test – and that they will be able to talk about it with their daughters, sisters or mothers ” – she said.
The #mamczasrozmawiac campaign encourages women to test themselves for HIV and to engage in intergenerational dialogue about health with their loved ones. It reminds women of the importance of taking full responsibility for their own health and that of their child. It helps to break the resistance to difficult conversations on the subject. He explains that such an exchange of ideas and knowledge does not have to be embarrassing.
“Ordering a pregnant woman to test for HIV is the responsibility of the doctor in charge of the pregnancy”, emphasizes Prof. dr hab. n. med. Mirosław Wielgoś, National consultant in the field of perinatology, Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic of the Medical University of Warsaw, Rector of the Medical University of Warsaw.
«I order all pregnant patients to have an HIV test. It is best to do this test twice: before the 10th week, and also between the 33rd and 37th week of pregnancy. More and more doctors understand and accept the need for such an examination. This is a simple test that can prevent your baby from becoming infected. Taking into account the health of the family, the gynecologist should emphasize the necessity of HIV testing by the future mother and father of the child at the stage of pregnancy planning »- emphasizes Professor Wielgoś.
The consequences of skipping this examination by doctors or future mothers are faced by Professor Magdalena Marczyńska – head of the Department of Infectious Diseases in Children of the Medical University of Warsaw in Warsaw.
«Since 1985, about 195 vertical infections have been registered in Poland, 15 children have died from AIDS. Since the standards of perinatal care were in force, that is after 2011, 70% of children undergoing the diagnosis of congenital HIV infection have received prophylaxis. This does not mean that this is the percentage of testing pregnant women in Poland. It is still estimated that only 25-30% of women were tested for HIV during pregnancy and received full prophylaxis. The pilot survey carried out in the center I headed shows that 33% of women had a test taken twice, i.e. according to the standards, during pregnancy. It still happens that HIV infection is detected only in the few or teenagers. Your baby should be diagnosed and treated before 3 months of age. Early therapy gives a chance to limit the multiplication of the virus and reduce the risk of multi-organ damage. Older children still come to us with AIDS – that is, in a very advanced stage of the disease »- explains Professor Marczyńska.
In over 90% of cases, HIV infection occurs during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, and it can be prevented. Every woman expecting a baby should have all tests done, including for HIV. The gynecologist is obliged to offer HIV testing to each pregnant patient. This does not mean that ordering this test is an assessment that the doctor gives her to her life so far.
«HIV testing is included in the basket of services provided by a doctor in charge of pregnancy within the framework of health care for a pregnant woman, financed by the National Health Fund, therefore it is completely free of charge. If HIV is detected and the mother is treated with antiretroviral therapy (ARV), the risk of the child’s infection is virtually eliminated. It should be added that ARV treatment is free in Poland and financed by the Minister of Health as a Health Policy Program »reminds Anna Marzec-Bogusławska, director of the National AIDS Center, Agenda of the Minister of Health.
In 2017, 46 HIV-infected pregnant women were treated as part of the Vertical Infection Prevention Program. There were 35 births of women from this group, all newborns, who received prophylactic antiviral drugs, were born healthy. 11 of the infected women had a delivery planned in 2018.
Unfortunately, we still do tests for HIV too rarely. According to estimates, such a test was performed by only one in ten adult Poles. Every year, it should be performed by nearly 400. pregnant women and the same number of men, because the HIV test should also be done by the future dad. This is a standard element of caring for the health of a growing family. The child’s father may perform the test anonymously and free of charge at one of the consultation and diagnostic centers (PKD). PKD addresses are available on the website of the National AIDS Center: www.aids.gov.pl/pkd
To encourage future mothers to intergenerational talks on sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, and to support doctors in educating patients about the virus, for the next week on television, cinemas, public transport, and on news portals, spots with Maria Seweryn will be broadcast in the main role. Entries posted by bloggers – Macademian Girl, Madam Crazy, Ask a Midwife and other people who will join the campaign on Facebook and Instagram will help to understand why it is worth talking to your loved ones about everything. The website of the campaign: mamczasrozmawiac.aids.gov.pl will be the source of reliable knowledge about HIV / AIDS.