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Maternal and health care workers' perspectives on exclusive breastfeeding in the context of maternal HIV infection, in Busia county, western Kenya: a mixed methods cross-sectional survey. Int Breastfeed J 2022; 17:17. [PMID: 35246178 PMCID: PMC8894571 DOI: 10.1186/s13006-022-00454-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for 6 months with maternal active antiretroviral therapy (ART) to prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. However, EBF in low resource settings remains low. We explored perspectives of EBF by HIV-infected mothers and health care workers in Busia County with a high prevalence of HIV to understand factors influencing the practice. METHODS A mixed methods cross-sectional survey using concurrent quantitative and qualitative data collection methods was conducted at PMTCT clinics. Data on socio-demography, young infant feeding practices, maternal and infant health was collected between February 2013 and August 2015 from 371 purposively sampled HIV-infected mother-infant dyads using a semi-structured questionnaire. Focus group discussions with mothers, in-depth interviews and passive observation of health care workers during interaction with mothers were conducted. Significance of difference between mothers practicing EBF or not was tested by Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests setting significance level at 5%. Qualitative data was coded and content analyzed to generate themes. RESULTS Three hundred and forty-nine (94%) mothers practiced EBF. Maternal comprehension of EBF to PMTCT of HIV influenced choice and practice of EBF (P value = 0.019 and < 0.001 respectively). Health care workers emphasized adherence to ART and offered nutritional supplementation during EBF. Health care workers' nutritional counseling in the context of maternal HIV was poor. Mentor mothers shared their experiences with mothers and offered live case demonstrations of their successfully EBF, healthy and HIV-uninfected children. The main threats to EBF were teenage motherhood, low maternal education and working during EBF. CONCLUSIONS EBF among HIV-infected mothers in Busia County, Kenya was high. Health education and counselling by health care workers, maternal comprehension of ART adherence to PMTCT of HIV, nutritional supplementation and mentor mothers' peer counseling using live case demonstrations of HIV-uninfected EBF children promoted and sustained practice of EBF for 6 months. Teenage motherhood, low maternal education and having to work threatened EBF.
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Mussa A, Taddese HB, Maslova E, Ajibola G, Makhema J, Shapiro RL, Lockman S, Powis KM. Factors Associated with Infant Feeding Choices Among Women with HIV in Botswana. Matern Child Health J 2021; 25:1376-1391. [PMID: 33950327 PMCID: PMC8355043 DOI: 10.1007/s10995-021-03155-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In resource-constrained settings, infant feeding decisions among women with HIV (WHIV) must balance the risk of infant HIV acquisition from breastfeeding with increased mortality associated with formula feeding. WHO guidelines recommend countries principally promote a single feeding method for WHIV, either breastfeeding or formula feeding. In 2016, Botswana revised its policy of formula feeding for infants born to WHIV, instead promoting exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life. METHODS We sought to understand factors influencing infant feeding choices among WHIV by administering a questionnaire to pregnant and postpartum WHIV (2013-2015) participating in a clinical trial in Botswana (the Mpepu Study). Logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with infant feeding choices. RESULTS Of 810 surveyed participants, 24.0% chose breastfeeding and 76.0% chose formula feeding. Women were more likely to choose formula feeding if advised by a health worker to formula feed (aOR 1.90; 95% CI 1.02-3.57) or if they harboured doubts about the potency of antiretroviral treatment (ART) to prevent infant HIV acquisition (aOR 9.06; 95% CI 4.78-17.17). Women who reported lack of confidence in preparing infant formula safely (aOR 0.09; 95% CI 0.04-0.19) or low concerns about infant HIV acquisition (aOR 0.35; 95% CI 0.22-0.55) were significantly less likely to formula feed. DISCUSSION Perceptions about ART effectiveness, social circumstances and health worker recommendations were key influencers of infant feeding choices among WHIV. Health system factors and maternal education interventions represent ideal targets for any programmatic actions aiming to shape informed decision-making towards HIV-free survival of infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aamirah Mussa
- Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana.
| | | | | | | | - Joseph Makhema
- Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
| | - Roger L Shapiro
- Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA
| | - Shahin Lockman
- Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Kathleen M Powis
- Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, USA
- Divisions of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
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Iliyasu Z, Galadanci HS, Hassan-Hanga F, Abdulrahman Z, Tsiga FI, Marryshow SE, Aliyu MH. Healthcare Workers' Knowledge of HIV-Exposed Infant Feeding Options and Infant Feeding Counseling Practice in Northern Nigeria. Curr HIV Res 2021; 18:29-40. [PMID: 31870269 DOI: 10.2174/1570162x18666191223114657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the existence of evidence-based HIV-exposed infant feeding guidelines, infants in Africa still acquire HIV through inappropriate feeding practices. OBJECTIVE To identify predictors of HIV-exposed infant feeding knowledge and counseling practice among health care workers (HCW) in Nigeria. METHODS Structured, pretested questionnaires were administered to HCW (n=262) in a tertiary health facility in Kano, Nigeria. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine predictors of HIV-exposed infant feeding knowledge and counseling practice. RESULTS Of 262 respondents, (58.0%, n=152) had good knowledge of recommended feeding options. Respondents listed exclusive breastfeeding (57.6%, n=151), human milk substitutes (45.4%, n=119), HIV-negative wet-nursing (37.0%, n=97), heated expressed human milk (20.6%, n=54) and mixed feeding (13.4%, n=35) as appropriate feeding choices. Over half (57.3%, n=150) of the respondents have ever counseled a HIV-positive mother on infant feeding. Knowledge was predicted by female sex (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR)=2.47, 95% Confidence Interval (CI):1.35-4.52), profession (physician vs. laboratory scientist, AOR=4.00, 95%CI:1.25-12.87; nurse/midwife vs. laboratory scientist, AOR=2.75, 95%CI:1.17-9.28), infant feeding counseling training (AOR=3.27, 95%CI:1.87-5.71), and number of children (2-4 vs. 0, AOR=1.75, 95%CI:1.23-3.92). Infant feeding counseling was predicted by female sex (AOR=2.85, 95%CI:1.39-5.85), age (>40 vs. <30 years, AOR=3.87, 95%CI:1.27-15.65), knowledge of infant feeding options (good vs. fair/poor, AOR=3.96, 95%CI:2.07-7.59), training (AOR=2.60, 95%CI:1.42-5.32), and profession (physician vs. laboratory scientist, AOR=10.7, 95%CI:2.85-40.54; nurse/midwife vs. laboratory scientist, AOR=4.8, 95%CI:1.26-18.02). CONCLUSION The practice of infant feeding counseling among HCW in Nigeria is associated with sex, knowledge, and profession. Our findings may inform the development of targeted training programs for HCW in similar settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zubairu Iliyasu
- Department of Community Medicine, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.,Centre for Infectious Diseases Research, Bayero University Kano, Nigeria
| | - Hadiza S Galadanci
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria
| | | | | | | | - Salisha E Marryshow
- Vanderbilt Institute for Medicine and Public Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Tennessee, United States
| | - Muktar H Aliyu
- Department of Health Policy and Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Tennessee, United States
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Mohamed Y, Kupul M, Gare J, Badman SG, Silim S, Vallely AJ, Luchters S, Kelly-Hanku A. Feasibility and acceptability of implementing early infant diagnosis of HIV in Papua New Guinea at the point of care: a qualitative exploration of health worker and key informant perspectives. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e043679. [PMID: 33444219 PMCID: PMC7678362 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Early infant diagnosis (EID) of HIV and timely initiation of antiretroviral therapy can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality among HIV-positive infants. Access to EID is limited in many low-income and middle-income settings, particularly those in which standard care involves dried blood spots (DBS) sent to centralised laboratories, such as in Papua New Guinea (PNG). We conducted a qualitative exploration of the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a point-of-care (POC) EID test (Xpert HIV-1 Qualitative assay) among health workers and key stakeholders working within the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programme in PNG. METHODS This qualitative substudy was conducted as part of a pragmatic trial to investigate the effectiveness of the Xpert HIV-1 Qualitative test for EID in PNG and Myanmar. Semistructured interviews were undertaken with 5 health workers and 13 key informants to explore current services, experiences of EID testing, perspectives on the Xpert test and the feasibility of integrating and scaling up POC EID in PNG. Coding was undertaken using inductive and deductive approaches, drawing on existing acceptability and feasibility frameworks. RESULTS Health workers and key informants (N=18) felt EID at POC was feasible to implement and beneficial to HIV-exposed infants and their families, staff and the PMTCT programme more broadly. All study participants highlighted starting HIV-positive infants on treatment immediately as the main advantage of POC EID compared with standard care DBS testing. Health workers identified insufficient resources to follow up infants and caregivers and space constraints in hospitals as barriers to implementation. Participants emphasised the importance of adequate human resources, ongoing training and support, appropriate coordination and a sustainable supply of consumables to ensure effective scale-up of the test throughout PNG. CONCLUSIONS Implementation of POC EID in a low HIV prevalence setting such as PNG is likely to be both feasible and beneficial with careful planning and adequate resources. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER 12616000734460.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Mohamed
- Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Martha Kupul
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - Janet Gare
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - Steven G Badman
- The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Selina Silim
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
| | - Andrew J Vallely
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
- The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, International Centre for Reproductive Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Population Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Angela Kelly-Hanku
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Papua New Guinea
- The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Acheampong AK, Naab F, Kwashie A. The Voices That Influence HIV-Positive Mothers' Breastfeeding Practices in an Urban, Ghanaian Society. J Hum Lact 2018; 34:176-183. [PMID: 29268662 DOI: 10.1177/0890334417740345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization recommends that HIV-positive mothers should breastfeed for at least 1 year. There are people in the lives of these mothers who influence their decisions. Research aim: The aim was to explore the role of social persuasion in the decision-making processes of HIV-positive breastfeeding mothers. METHODS A qualitative, exploratory research design was employed ( N = 13). Participants were recruited from a public hospital in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. One-on-one interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and the contents of the transcripts were analyzed for emerging themes. RESULTS The perspectives of spouses, health workers, counselors, and siblings about breastfeeding affect the breastfeeding practices of mothers living with HIV in Ghana. Most of the women had negative experiences with their midwives. Because of complex social and cultural influences, the opinions of spouses, health professionals, siblings, and members of the communities in which breastfeeding mothers with HIV live influence breastfeeding practices. CONCLUSION This study described HIV-positive, breastfeeding mothers' perceptions of the role played by spouses, health professionals, siblings, and the community in breastfeeding decisions and practices. Influential people in the lives of breastfeeding mothers with HIV should be involved during interventions by HIV counselors to promote breastfeeding practices.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Florence Naab
- 2 Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Greater Accra, Ghana
| | - Adzo Kwashie
- 3 Department of Education and Administration, School of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Greater Accra, Ghana
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Tynan A, Vallely L, Kupul M, Neo R, Fiya V, Worth H, Kariwiga G, Mola GDL, Kaldor J, Kelly-Hanku A. Programmes for the prevention of parent-to-child transmission of HIV in Papua New Guinea: Health system challenges and opportunities. Int J Health Plann Manage 2017; 33:e367-e377. [PMID: 28960552 DOI: 10.1002/hpm.2450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prevention of parent-to-child transmission (PPTCT) of HIV is a highly complex package of interventions, which spans services in both maternal and child health programmes. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), a commitment to ensure that all pregnant women and their partners have access to the full range of PPTCT interventions exists; however, efforts to increase access and utilisation of PPTCT remain far from optimal. The aim of this paper is to examine health care worker (HCW) perception of health system factors impacting on the performance of PPTCT programmes. METHOD Sixteen interviews were undertaken with HCWs involved in the PPTCT programme. Application of the WHO 6 building blocks of a health system was applied, and further thematic analysis was conducted on the data with assistance from the analysis software NVivo. RESULTS Broken equipment, problems with access to medication and supplies, and poorly supported workforce were reported as barriers for implementing a successful PPTCT programme. The absence of central coordination of this complex, multistaged programme was also recognised as a key issue. CONCLUSION The study findings highlight an important need for investment in appropriately trained and supported HCWs and integration of services at each stage of the PPTCT programme. Lessons from the PPTCT experience in PNG may inform policy discussions and considerations in other similar contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Tynan
- The School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Lisa Vallely
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea.,Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Martha Kupul
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea
| | - Ruthy Neo
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea
| | - Voletta Fiya
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea
| | - Heather Worth
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Grace Kariwiga
- Alotau Provincial Hospital, Milne Bay Provincial Health Authority, Alotau, Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea
| | - Glen D L Mola
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
| | - John Kaldor
- Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Angela Kelly-Hanku
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Unit, Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea.,Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia
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