Young mothers living with HIV often face multiple and intersecting challenges, including limited access to essential health services, exposure to violence, stigma and discrimination, and inadequate living conditions. These barriers not only affect their well-being but also impact the health and development of their children.
The BLOOM Project seeks to improve the lives of young mothers aged 10–24 by bringing integrated healthcare and support services closer to where they live. By increasing access to quality care, information, and psychosocial support, the project empowers young mothers to make informed health decisions, adhere to treatment, and provide better care for their children. Ultimately, this contributes to healthier families, improved maternal and child health outcomes, and a greater chance for children to grow up free from preventable illnesses and diseases.
BACKGROUND
In Uganda, 1.4 million people are currently living with HIV. Of all new HIV infections, young women aged 15–24 account for about 56% of all new HIV infections among young people, and adolescent girls contribute to 40% of these new cases. (Uganda AIDS Commission, 2021). 2022 data from Mulago National Referral Hospital indicates that the HIV prevalence rate among teenage girls is between 6.23% and 8.61%. HIV disproportionately affects females more than it does males. In 2023, 89.4% of adolescent girls aged 10-19 years reported new HIV cases in 2023, with the leading causes of increased spread being;
- Teenage pregnancy
- Early marriages
- Gender based Violence
According to UNICEF, only 30% of adolescent girls receive HIV testing services, yet over 70% of all new infections are found in adolescent girls. Children and pregnant & lactating young women living with HIV are still unaware of their HIV status or are not able to start or continue their treatment. Barriers including poverty, violence and stigma are hindering children and young women from accessing or to continuing to access the services they need to live healthy lives or to ensure children are born and remain HIV free (WHO/ UNICEF, 2021).
Young mothers living with HIV have multi-layered issues, including; navigating pregnancy, childbirth and parenting, alongside lifelong antiretroviral therapy, preventing HIV transmission to their infant, potentially caring for a child with HIV, mental health challenges and often HIV associated stigma and discrimination. Young mothers and their children are extremely vulnerable and at a great risk of HIV infection as well as violence, exclusion, access to education, and are prone to experiencing early childhood developmental delays.
Joy for children Uganda is implementing ‘Babies Living Optimally and Opportunely with their Mothers Project (a.k.a. ‘BLOOM project’) to end HIV transmission from mother to child. Providing a healthy future for children affected by HIV and their young mothers living with HIV in Uganda. With a keen focus on the age bracket of 10 – 24, this project aims to bring healthcare, zero new child infections and the hope of a future closer to these young mothers.
This project is being implemented in Kampala’s 5 divisions; Kawempe, Nakawa, Rubaga, Makindye and central. 101 wards
Bloom project period: Jan to Dec 2026
Health Facility: 7 Health Facilities.
PROJECT GOAL:
Improved maternal and child HIV outcomes for young mothers(10-24 yrs) LHIV and their children in Kampala district by end of 2026.
PROJECT OUTCOMES:
Outcome 1: Improved treatment coverage and outcomes for children living with HIV who have a young (10-24 yr.) mother
Outcome 2: Improved treatment coverage, adherence and retention in care for young mothers (10-24 yrs.) living with HIV
Outcome 3: Reduction of vertical transmission among children born to young(10-24yrs) mothers during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding g/lactation period
PROJECT OBJECTIVES:
OBJECTIVE 1: Identification, treatment coverage, adherence and retention in care for young mothers (10-24 yrs) living with HIV
OBJECTIVE 2: Reduction of vertical transmission for children born to young (10-24 yrs) mothers during pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding/lactation period
OBJECTIVE 3: Improved treatment coverage and outcomes for children living with HIV who have a young (10-24 yrs) mother
PROJECT PARTNERS:
This project is being implemented by a consortium of organizations including;
- Community Health Alliance implementing in Wakiso and Fort Portal handles the overall program coordination
- JOY Initiatives Uganda implementing in Mpigi leads the Communications and documentation of success stories and implementation
This project is being supported by AIDSFONDS
