HIV testing lags among pregnant women in Vanuatu

Jun 18, 2025 | News | 0

Ms Davina Iopa says increasing HIV testing during pregnancy is vital to stop mother-to-child transmission and safeguard families.

Davina Iopa, a medical laboratory scientist and mother from Tanna Island in TAFEA Province, wants to see changes in Vanuatu’s maternal health system.

Now completing her Master’s in Applied Epidemiology at Fiji National University (FNU), Ms Iopa’s research reveals a critical gap in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing among pregnant women—an issue she believes must be addressed urgently.

Growing up in Port Vila, Iopa’s educational journey was shaped by determination and opportunity. Awarded the prestigious Manaaki Scholarship in 2013, she pursued a degree in Biomedical Science, specialising in Human Genetics and Molecular Pathology. After graduating in 2015, she returned to Vanuatu and served for three years as Laboratory Manager at VANMED. From 2019 to 2022, she worked as a Laboratory Scientist at Vila Central Hospital (VCH).

Her experience during the COVID-19 pandemic sparked a new passion. “I saw how delayed disease reporting hindered outbreak response in Vanuatu,” Iopa said. “That’s when I decided to study epidemiology to help improve our health surveillance systems and protect our communities.”

Balancing motherhood with full-time study, often sacrificing sleep to complete assignments online while her young sons slept, Iopa has shown resilience and commitment. Her thesis, Factors Associated with HIV Screening Among Pregnant Mothers in Port Vila: A Cross-Sectional Study, reveals a concerning reality: only 22.2% of pregnant women are tested for HIV during antenatal care, despite routine testing for other infections like syphilis and hepatitis.

“Most mothers don’t consent to HIV testing due to stigma, fear, or lack of awareness,” Iopa said. “Many rural women face barriers to accessing clinics. And yet HIV remains a silent threat that could be growing undetected.”

Ms Iopa notes that although Vanuatu currently reports relatively low HIV cases, this could change rapidly. She points to neighbouring countries, particularly Fiji, where HIV infections and related deaths are high. Given the regional travel and close ties across Pacific nations, she says Vanuatu must not become complacent. Increasing HIV testing during pregnancy is vital to stop mother-to-child transmission and safeguard families.

Her research identifies the main obstacles to testing: social stigma, limited antenatal care in rural areas, and the absence of mandatory testing policies. Women attending private clinics or with higher levels of education and income were more likely to be tested, revealing disparities that need attention.

Iopa proposes several immediate changes, including making HIV testing mandatory for all pregnant women during antenatal visits, expanding counselling services for mothers and their partners, deploying mobile health teams to reach remote areas, and running public awareness campaigns to reduce stigma.

The Vanuatu Family Health Association (VFHA) and Ministry of Health (MoH) have already shown interest in her findings.

Looking ahead, Iopa hopes to work with the Ministry’s surveillance or HIV programmes, applying her training to improve disease tracking and maternal care. She also wants to inspire other young women—especially mothers—to pursue education despite cultural or personal obstacles.

“Being a mother does not stop you from achieving your goals,” Iopa says. “Educated women strengthen families and communities. Our Pacific Islands need more women leaders in public health.”

She credits scholarships like Manaaki for enabling her progress. “This support isn’t just about funding—it empowers Pacific Island women to drive change.”

To girls across Vanuatu and the Pacific, Iopa offers a clear message: “Believe in yourself and pursue your dreams. Your education is a gift not just to you, but to your children, your family, and your country.”

Preventing HIV starts with informed, tested, and supported mothers—because protecting one woman protects everyone.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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