This report presents key findings from an evaluation of a PMTCT program that has been implemented
in 13 refugee camps in North Western Tanzania between 2003 and 2007. Due to ongoing refugee
repatriation, the evaluation took place in three remaining camps namely Nyarugusu and Mtabila in
Kasulu district and Lugufu in Kigoma rural district. By the end of 2007, the three camps comprised a
population of 123,870 out of the total refugee population of 215,337. The evaluated program was
being implemented by Tanzania Red Cross Society with financial and technical support from UNICEF.
Other collaborating organizations include UNHCR, WFP, MoHSW and other agencies.
PMTCT efforts in Tanzania include the following prongs; primary prevention of HIV infection among
parents to be, which may be achieved through among others, behavior change communication (BCC).
Prevention of unintended pregnancies among HIV-positive women through family planning forms the
second PMTCT prong. Prevention of transmission from HIV positive pregnant women to their
offspring, through provision of ART prophylaxis is at the core of PMTCT. Prong 4 is comprehensive
HIV care for women, their children and families including prophylaxis versus opportunistic infections
and ART for eligible clients.
Now that the camps are coming to a close, not less than three quarters of the camps population have
repatriated. Since the start of the PMTCT program in the North Western Tanzania refugee camps in
2003, there has been one partial external evaluation in 2004. This evaluation, however, is to analyze
the program more comprehensively in a wider scope of focus.