The Jamaican National HIV/STI Programme

Contraceptive Use

More Jamaican Women Now Using Contraceptives

The National Family Planning Board reported that 85% of Jamaican women have used a contraceptive method, reflecting progress in reproductive health access across the island.

Mother-to-Child Transmission

Jamaica on Track to Eliminate Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission

The country has made significant strides toward eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, a milestone in the national public health response.

The Jamaican National HIV/STI Programme serves as the country's central coordinating body for the response to HIV and sexually transmitted infections. Operating within the framework of the Ministry of Health, the programme brings together government ministries, civil society organisations, and international partners to deliver a unified national strategy. Its work spans the full continuum of care, from primary prevention and community outreach to clinical treatment and long-term support services for people living with HIV.

Prevention remains a cornerstone of the national response, with behaviour-change communication campaigns reaching communities across the island. These efforts focus on increasing awareness of transmission risks, promoting condom use, and encouraging regular testing. Outreach teams engage populations in urban centres and rural parishes alike, using culturally relevant messaging and peer-education models to foster informed decision-making about sexual and reproductive health.

The programme places particular emphasis on reaching most-at-risk populations, often referred to as MARPs, who face heightened vulnerability to HIV infection. Tailored interventions address the specific needs of these groups through targeted prevention services, harm-reduction strategies, and stigma-free health education. By working closely with community-based organisations, the programme ensures that services are accessible, respectful, and responsive to the lived realities of those most affected.

Preventing mother-to-child transmission is a critical priority within Jamaica's public health agenda. The programme supports antenatal testing protocols, antiretroviral prophylaxis for expectant mothers living with HIV, and follow-up care for exposed infants. These integrated services aim to move the country closer to the global goal of eliminating vertical transmission, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to begin life free from HIV.

Treatment and care services form the clinical backbone of the national programme, providing antiretroviral therapy and ongoing medical monitoring for people living with HIV. The approach emphasises early diagnosis, prompt linkage to care, and sustained viral suppression. Retention in care is supported through adherence counselling, laboratory monitoring, and a network of treatment sites that bring services closer to the communities that need them most.

An enabling environment is essential for an effective HIV response, and the programme works to address the social and structural factors that influence health outcomes. This includes advocacy for human rights, efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination, and initiatives that promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Legal and policy reforms are pursued in partnership with government stakeholders to create a supportive framework for prevention and care.

Strategic information drives the programme's planning and decision-making processes. Surveillance systems track HIV prevalence, incidence, and related behavioural trends, while routine monitoring and evaluation activities assess the reach and impact of interventions. Data from these systems inform resource allocation, guide programme adjustments, and support the country's reporting obligations to regional and global health bodies.

The programme's governance structure includes coordination with the National Family Planning Board and other key entities within the health sector. This collaborative model ensures that HIV and STI services are integrated with broader sexual and reproductive health offerings, including contraceptive access and family planning counselling. Such integration strengthens the overall health system and improves the efficiency of service delivery.

Public engagement and special events play a vital role in sustaining national awareness around HIV and STI issues. Observances such as testing days and health weeks provide platforms for community mobilisation, free screening services, and public education. These events reinforce the message that knowing one's status is a responsible and empowering step, and they help normalise conversations about sexual health across Jamaican society.

Family Week

Family Week Observed Under the Theme "Time to Talk"

Observed from October 26 to 31, Family Week urged all sectors of society to become more involved in the sex education of children and teenagers.