In Central America, PSI’s partner Pan American Social Marketing Association (PASMO) will be delivering more than 40,000 safe pregnancy kits to help expectant moms fight the Zika virus.
The kits, part of PASMO´s “Mamá Segura” regional Zika campaign, contain educational material, insect repellent and latex condoms to help prevent Zika transmission among pregnant women, women of reproductive age and their partners. Because Zika can be spread through mosquito bites and sex, the kits address both threats by providing women with free samples of effective protective measures.
While Zika-fighting efforts in many affected communities focus mainly on repelling mosquitos, PASMO´s project is ensuring that sexual and reproductive health services are part of the response. These include access to voluntary family planning methods to delay pregnancy and using condoms to prevent sexual transmission of the virus.
The project supports Zika prevention efforts in two major ways:
· Carrying out mass media campaigns–including the safe pregnancy kits–in El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic to teach people about how to reduce their exposure to Zika, including promoting healthy sexual and reproductive health practices;
· Working with private sector health service providers, including pharmacies, to improve their knowledge about Zika and effectively counsel clients about steps they can take to prevent Zika infection.
This program is part of PSI’s worldwide efforts to help women in the developing world tackle their greatest health problems and access family planning services.
With just a click, you can honor a mother you admire and help protect a pregnant woman from the Zika virus. Dedicate your own “Mamá Segura” safe pregnancy kit: zika.psi.org.
