Nigeria contributes the highest to the global burden of HIV/AIDS and also accounts for the largest proportion of new vertically transmitted HIV infections among children. The Mentor Mothers program in the Nigerian Department of Defense was introduced in accordance with the World Health Organization and its implementing partner guidelines to curb the high incidence of vertically acquired HIV infections. Understanding the experiences of participants could serve as a gateway to evaluating the effectiveness of the program to better provide quality services within targeted health facilities. This qualitative study employed key informant interviews with six healthcare workers as well as two focus group discussions with six mentor mothers and six prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) patients in four selected hospitals in the Nigerian Department of Defense to explore their experiences of the Mentor Mothers program. A thematic analysis technique was used to analyze the collated data. As a result, four main themes emerged, with the program perceived by most participants as providing psychosocial support to the patients, a valuable educational resource for raising HIV awareness, a valuable resource for promoting exclusive breastfeeding and mitigating vertical transmission of the virus, and functioning as a link between patients and the healthcare system. The participants reported that the program had effectively decreased HIV infections in children, reduced child and maternal mortality, and supported the livelihood and development of women, families, and communities in and around the Nigerian Department of Defense health facilities.

AimThis study explored health systems responsiveness towards the Mentor Mother Program for PMTCT in the Nigeria Department of Defence hospitals. Factors affecting quality service were also highlighted, which gave helpful insights into the strategies employed by stakeholders to ensure that health systems responsiveness was propagated responsibly.DesignAn exploratory qualitative interview study.MethodsSix semistructured interviews were conducted with six key informants (three doctors and three nurses) and one focus group session with six Mentor Mothers. Open coding of data was done to formulate themes and subthemes. Thematic analysis was adopted for analysis.ResultsFour themes emerged-Service Quality, Basic Amenities, Patient-oriented Strategies and Factors affecting service Quality. These showcased the nonmedical components of health systems responsiveness and accentuated how well they were utilized to achieve health systems responsiveness.

Background: Nigeria has the second largest HIV epidemic in the world and is one of the countries with the highest rates of new pediatric infections in sub-Saharan Africa. The country faces several challenges in the provision of healthcare services and coverage of Prevention of Mother to child transmission of HIV. In the Nigeria’s Department of Defense, prevention of vertically transmitted HIV infections has been given a boost by utilizing Mentor Mothers to facilitate antiretroviral compliance and retention in care. The aim of this study was to explore those processes and policies that guide the implementation of the Mentor Mothers program for PMTCT of HIV in the Department of Defense in Nigeria as no studies have examined this so far. Methods: The descriptive, qualitative research approach was utilized. We conducted 7 key informants interviews with 7 purposively selected participants made up of 2 program Directors, 1 Doctor, 1 PMTCT focal Nurse, 1 PMTCT site coordinator, 1 Mentor Mother, and 1 patient from one each of the health facilities of the Army, Navy, Airforce and the Defence Headquarters Medical Centre. Open coding for major themes and sub-themes was done. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Findings revealed that the program in the Department of Defense had been modelled after the WHO and implementing partners’ guidelines. Foundational Factors; Leadership; Skill acquisition; and Service Characteristics emerged as processes guiding the implementation of the Mentor-Mothers program in the DoD. These findings supported the Mentor Mother Model, which empowers mothers living with HIV – through education and employment – to promote access to essential PMTCT services and medical care to HIV positive pregnant women. Conclusion: We concluded that no definitive policy establishes the Mentor Mothers program in the DoD. Working with Doctors, Nurses, local & collaborating partners, and communities in which these hospitals are located, the Mentor Mothers play a pivotal role in the formation, facilitation, and implementation of the MM model to effectively decrease HIV infections in children and reduce child and maternal mortality in women and families they interact with.

Background: Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV remains a global public health priority aimed at eliminating paediatric HIV infections and improving maternal health outcomes. The WHO advocates a comprehensive four-pronged approach: primary prevention of HIV among women of reproductive age, prevention of unintended pregnancies among women living with HIV, prevention of HIV transmission from mothers to infants and provision of treatment, care and support to women living with HIV, their infants and families. Despite significant progress in expanding PMTCT services in low- and middle-income countries, implementation challenges persist, especially in military hospital settings. Nigerian military hospitals, like others in sub-Saharan Africa, operate dual service systems for military and civilian populations, often straining available resources. Although well-organised, hierarchical command structures, frequent staff redeployments and competing operational priorities disrupt service continuity and integration with maternal and child healthcare. Consequently, programme delivery and follow-up remain inconsistent. This study explored factors that facilitate or hinder implementation of the Mentor Mothers (MMs) programme in military health facilities. Methods: A descriptive exploratory qualitative design was employed to examine PMTCT implementation through the MMs programme in three military hospitals in Abuja. 18 participants were purposively selected, including three physicians, 3 PMTCT focal nurses, 6 MMs and 6 patient participants enrolled in PMTCT care. Data were gathered through six key informant interviews and two focus group discussions. Thematic analysis (TA) was used to identify patterns and relationships within the data. Findings: Facilitators of effective PMTCT implementation included strong peer support networks, improved confidence among MMs, ongoing training and supervision, effective facility leadership and positive nurse–client relationships. Key challenges identified were fear of stigma leading to non-disclosure, limited male partner involvement, cultural barriers and intermittent gaps in resources and programme monitoring. Conclusion: The MMs programme enhances PMTCT adherence and psychosocial support in Nigerian military hospitals. Achieving sustained impact requires stigma reduction, male partner engagement, strengthened supervision and institutionalised mentorship to advance Nigeria’s elimination of mother-to-child transmission goals.

Background : Nigeria has the second largest HIV epidemic in the world and one of the countries with the highest rates of new pediatric infections in sub-Saharan Africa. The country faces several challenges in the provision of healthcare services and coverage of Prevention of Mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT). Antiretroviral coverage is still low as research has shown that in 2019 only 32% of pregnant women living with HIV had access to antiretroviral drugs for PMTCT, with about 12% of HIV-exposed infants receiving testing for early diagnosis by age 2 months. To achieve optimal viral load suppression and reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV, the World Health Organization in 2006 recommended “Task Shifting” as a means of initiating and managing more patients to meet the demand for antiretroviral therapy. In the Nigeria’s Department of Defense (DoD) this task redistribution necessitated utilizing Mentor Mothers to facilitate antiretroviral compliance and retention in care. This was to boost the health workforce and attain target achievement with PMTCT in the DoD. The aim of this study was explore those processes that guide implementation of the mentor mother program for PMTCT of HIV in some hospitals in the DoD in Nigeria as no research has been conducted in this area so far. Methods: The case study methodology, qualitative research approach was utilized and in-depth interviews were conducted with relevant stakeholders. Open coding for major themes and sub-themes was done and data analyzed using thematic analysis.Results: Foundational Factors; Leadership; Skill acquisition; and Service Characteristics emerged as processes guiding the implementation of the Mentor-Mothers program in the Nigeria DoD.Conclusion: The findings support the Mentor Mother (MM) Model, which empowers mothers living with HIV – through education and employment – to promote access to essential services and medical care to other women. Working with governments, local partners, and communities played a pivotal role in the formation, facilitation, and implementation of the MM model to effectively decrease HIV infections in children, reduce child and maternal mortality, and support the livelihood, development of women, families and communities.