Barcelona 2013
Menu
AIDSImpact.com
Conference Details
Authors
International Committee
Plenary Speakers
Presenting Speakers
Programme
Sessions
Scientific Committee
Acknowledgements
| Abstract #419 - E-Posters English | ||||
|
Session: 50.84: E-Posters English (Poster) on Sunday in Chaired by Authors: Presenting Author: Mrs Emily Tuthill - University of Connecticut, United States |
||||
| Additional Authors: Dr. Jordi Casabona, Sra Cristina Sanclemente, Dra. Anna Esteve, Dra. Victoria Gonzalez, Grupo HIVITS TS, | ||||
| Aim: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) has been identified as a key intervention to promote infant health and to reduce the vertical transmission of HIV. Despite this knowledge and increased resources to promote EBF, the practice in sub-Saharan Africa remains low among HIV-positive women. Although a number of qualitative studies have been conducted throughout sub-Saharan Africa, the influences on and consequences of infant feeding choices of HIV-positive mothers findings have not been regarded systematically. Therefore, our objective was to identify overarching themes, commonalities, and differences in infant feeding choices among qualitative studies with HIV-positive mothers in sub-Saharan Africa. | ||||
| Method / Issue: Sixteen qualitative studies of infant feeding practices in the context of HIV were identified. Noblit and Hare?s (1988) 7-step metasynthesis methodology was used to analyze the experiences of HIV-positive women and those who provide infant feeding services/counseling. Data were available from approximately 920 participants (i.e., 750 HIV-positive mothers, 109 healthcare providers, and 62 family members) across 13 sub-Saharan Africa countries from 2000 to 2011. | ||||
| Results / Comments: From these data, five themes emerged within which 3-4 overarching key metaphors were identified. The consistency of key metaphors across a variety of geographic, economic and, cultural settings suggest the importance of approaching infant feeding holistically, within the context of maternal knowledge, health care support, family resources, and cultural expectations. | ||||
| Discussion: A collective picture of infant feeding as experienced by HIV-positive mothers emerged through analysis of data from 13 sub-Saharan African countries. More similarities than differences were evident throughout each theme. In most studies, for a woman to be able to successfully EBF and exclusive formula feeding (EFF), healthcare providers and family were pivotal. Specifically, the importance of relaying accurate messages to mothers regarding EBF definitions and the risk of transmission for each modality of feeding was influential to optimal infant feeding outcomes. In addition, although it cannot fall on healthcare providers alone to solve the issue of stigma, it is in their capacity to support mothers in formulating strategies that equip her with the skills to confront it. In both cases (i.e., EFF and EBF) healthcare providers are well positioned to support mothers in enhancing their self-efficacy through improving maternal information regarding HIV and infant feeding, and through building strategies to navigate known barriers (e.g., stigma). Likewise, they are in a position to help facilitate conversations around disclosure in a safe and controlled environment by including family members in care. Finally, a supportive family enables a mother to carry out her infant feeding decision. EBF campaigns in sub-Saharan Africa are more likely to successfully support optimal health for infants and a safe supportive environment for their mothers when the impact of infant feeding decisions are evaluated across these themes. | ||||
| Go Back | ||||