Journal article
Differences between international recommendations on breastfeeding in the presence of HIV and the attitudes and counselling messages of health workers in Lilongwe, Malawi
International breastfeeding journal, Vol.1(1), pp.2-2
03/09/2006
DOI: 10.1186/1746-4358-1-2
PMCID: PMC1436018
PMID: 16722580
Abstract
Background: To prevent postnatal transmission of HIV in settings where safe alternatives to breastfeeding are unavailable, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding followed by early, rapid cessation of breastfeeding. Only limited data are available on the attitudes of health workers toward this recommendation and the impact of these attitudes on infant feeding counselling messages given to mothers.
Methods: As part of the Breastfeeding, Antiretroviral, and Nutrition (BAN) clinical trial, we carried out an in-depth qualitative study of the attitudes, beliefs, and counselling messages of 19 health workers in Lilongwe, Malawi.
Results: Although none of the workers had received formal training, several reported having counseled HIV-positive mothers about infant feeding. Health workers with counselling experience believed that HIV-infected mothers should breastfeed exclusively, rather than infant formula feed, citing poverty as the primary reason. Because of high levels of malnutrition, all the workers had concerns about early cessation of breastfeeding.
Conclusion: Important differences were observed between the WHO recommendations and the attitudes and practices of the health workers. Understanding these differences is important for designing effective interventions.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Differences between international recommendations on breastfeeding in the presence of HIV and the attitudes and counselling messages of health workers in Lilongwe, Malawi
- Creators
- Ellen G. Piwoz - Academy for Educational DevelopmentYvonne Owens Ferguson - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillMargaret E. Bentley - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillAmy L. Corneli - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillAgnes Moses - UNC Project, Lilongwe, MalawiJacqueline Nkhoma - UNC Project, Lilongwe, MalawiBeth Carlton Tohill - Centers for Disease Control and PreventionBeatrice Mtimuni - Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural ResourcesYusuf Ahmed - Centers for Disease Control and PreventionDenise J. Jamieson - Centers for Disease Control and PreventionCharles van der Horst - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillPeter Kazembe - Kamuzu Central HospitalUNC Project BAN Study Team
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- International breastfeeding journal, Vol.1(1), pp.2-2
- DOI
- 10.1186/1746-4358-1-2
- PMID
- 16722580
- PMCID
- PMC1436018
- NLM abbreviation
- Int Breastfeed J
- ISSN
- 1746-4358
- eISSN
- 1746-4358
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 8
- Grant note
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; United States Department of Health & Human Services; Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - USA Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation International Leadership Award Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation Call to Action Award UNICEF World Food Programme SIP 13-01 U48-CCU409660-09; SIP 26-04 U48-DP000059-01 / Prevention Research Centers Special Interest Project Ministry of Health and Population of Malawi DHHS/NIH/FIC2-D43 Tw01039-06 / AIDS International Training and Research Program NIAID P30-AI50410 / UNC Center for AIDS Research Boehringer-Ingelheim; Boehringer Ingelheim GlaxoSmithKline Roche Pharmaceuticals; Roche Holding Bristol Myers Squibb Company; Bristol-Myers Squibb
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 03/09/2006
- Academic Unit
- Obstetrics and Gynecology; VPMA - Administration
- Record Identifier
- 9984446264502771
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