This publication is divided into three sections. Section one provides a synthesis of the reviewed literature on prevention of mother to- child transmission of HIV, voluntary counseling and testing, and other issues that impact on the care, psychosocial support and counseling needs of HIV-infected women and their families in the perinatal period. Section two provides examples from around the world of projects that focus on the care and support of women and families, with a focus on mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The final section contains recommendations on psychosocial support and counseling for HIV-infected women and families.