Delva W, Eeraerts T, Mutunga L, Quaghebeur A, Marshed F, Temmerman M; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).
Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. MoPeD3913.
Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
Background: The Kenyan government recommends VCT for pregnant women and their partners. HIV infected women are offered the HIVNET012 nevirapine regimen and breastfeeding is discouraged if safe alternative feeding is available. Otherwise, exclusive breastfeeding is promoted. These recommendations can only be successfully implemented when fully understood and accepted by the target population and its socio-cultural environment. Methods: Four focus group discussions (FGDs) were organized to explore attitudes and beliefs among pregnant Kenyan women, concerning mechanisms of MTCT of HIV, alternative infant feeding, access to medical treatment for mother and child, and status disclosure to the male partner. Forty-three women, attending the antenatal clinic of the General Hospital of Mombasa were voluntary recruited. All FGDs were audiotaped and qualitative analysis was made using the QSR N*5 statistical programme. Results: In addition to the most common modes of MTCT of HIV (i.e. breastfeeding, intrapartum and in utero), other modes such as rape and used undisposed condoms were reported. To prevent MTCT of HIV, not breastfeeding, surrogate feeding, drugs and caesarean section were suggested. Inevitable transmission was defended as well. Apart from PMTCT, many other possible reasons for not breastfeeding were given. Explored obstacles to hospital-based care included lack of money, family pressure for traditional medicine or prayers, and distrust from in-laws. Almost all participants expected negative outcomes if they told their husbands they had been tested HIV positive. Conclusions: This study reveals a wide range of opinions and attitudes, which may have been missed by merely quantitative research methods. These insight are believed to be important for implementation of PMTCT programmes since recommendations that start from the target population's point of view are more likely to be accepted and implemented.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- AIDS Vaccines
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
- Breast Feeding
- Child
- Culture
- Disease Transmission, Vertical
- Female
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Infant
- Kenya
- Male
- Mothers
- Nevirapine
- Pregnancy
- Prenatal Care
- drug therapy
- methods
- therapy
- transmission
Other ID:
UI: 102280201
From Meeting Abstracts