Perinatal Linkage is a free support service designed to assist pregnant women who are living with HIV. Perinatal Linkage connects clients to prenatal care, Healthy Start, WIC, and other programs or services. Perinatally acquired HIV diagnoses spiked in Florida in 1994 when 116 cases were reported. Since that time, the number of cases have dropped, and in 2019 there were no cases reported.
The goals of Area 1’s Perinatal Linkage Program are to reach pregnant females who have HIV:
- To prevent the transmission of HIV from mother to baby.
- To educate pregnant women living with HIV about pregnancy needs and resources for meeting those needs.
- To provide confidential support and counseling to pregnant women living with HIV.
- To ensure compliance with all prenatal appointments and medication.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, administering the antiretroviral prophylaxis treatment during pregnancy reduces the likelihood of a vertical transmission by 99%.
Area 1 HIV exposed babies:
- 2017: total of 12 exposed babies born, 0 HIV infected babies born
- 2018: total of 12 exposed babies, 1 HIV infected baby born
- 2019:total of 15 exposed babies, 0 HIV infected babies born
- 2020: total of 10 exposed babies, 0 HIV infected babies born
- 2021: total of 10 exposed babies, 0 HIV infected babies born
- 2022: total of 3 exposed babies, 0 HIV infected babies born
The AIDS virus from the mother can infect the baby:
- During pregnancy
- During delivery
- Through breastfeeding (HIV is found in mother’s milk)
- By pre-chewing food to feed a baby or child (Passed by infected blood in the saliva of the person pre-chewing the food)
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Perinatal Linkage located?
Perinatal Linkage is located at the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County, HIV/AIDS Regional Program Office covering Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties.
1295 West Fairfield Drive
Pensacola, FL 32501
How can I enroll in the program?
Ask your healthcare provider for a referral to the program, or call the Perinatal Linkage Coordinator at 850-316-2726.
What if I need transportation?
Perinatal Linkage works with area resources to coordinate transportation to appointments.
Will I have to tell anyone? Family, partner, boss, friends, etc.
Not unless you want to. Health information will be kept confidential according to privacy practices and laws.
Location and Contact Information
Fairfield Service Center
1295 West Fairfield Drive
Pensacola, FL 32501
The Area 1 HIV/AIDS office is open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, call 850-316-2729.